Northern Regional Youth Network Registers It’s Displeasure at the lack of adequate youth initiatives in the 2023 budget and economic policy of government of Ghana

The Northern Regional Youth Network in a press release reacting to the 2023 Budget and Economic Policy of the Government have labelled the Budget as not only insensitive but one that does not offer hope to the teaming Youth of the Nation.

The Network, through the release bemoaned the lack of the direction of the President Akuffo Addo led government with regards sustainable youth initiatives that stands the test of time and engenders far reaching impact. Stating that the government have over the years been experimenting with the future of young people through its unsustainable programmes such as NABCO, NEIP and now YouStart which does not have a transparent implementation and sustainability plan.

The Network have questioned the rationale behind increasing VAT by 2.5% and the removal of the GH¢100.00 threshold on the e-levy that cushions the poor in addition to freezing public sector employment. Especially in the face of the growing youth unemployment; inflation of about 40.4% and still rising; over 300% increase in price of petroleum products; 27.15% and 21.55% increase in electricity and water tariff respectively; 42% cumulative increase in cost of transportation; 14.5 million people unable to afford health care; over 380,000 people suffering from insecurity, multidimensional poverty and food insecurity. All of which exacerbates the misery of the already suffering young people and poor masses.

Moving forward the Youth Network are calling on the government and the Members of Parliament to have a re-look at the budget before it is passed and appropriated to include the following omissions: Reduction of Government’s elephant size ministers, presidential staffers and excessive duplicated roles among the government structure; a transparent process for accountability mechanisms of the YouStart initiative; a clearly stated allocation of funds for the Implementation of the new National Youth Policy among others.

The Youth Network avers that, in the unity and progress of our dear nation Ghana, rests the respect and welfare of young people and thus, registers its displeasure on the inability of the government to prioritize youth in its planning and budgeting. Emphasizing that the 2023 Budget as presented by the Finance Minister smacks of hopeless and bleak future for the youth heading into 2023.

The Northern Regional Youth Network is an amalgamation of various youth groups across the Northern Region focused on promoting peace, stability, youth empowerment and development and, the imbibing of democratic and patriotic principles in young people so as to enable them become well-meaning contributors to social change, community and national development.