The National Green Job Strategy, when executed, will create a lot of opportunities for Ghanaians, including the creation of decent jobs for the youth, Eric Twum – a climate change consultant and green economist, has said.
According to him, it is anticipated that the green job strategy will be a working document that supports the government to implement its strategy focused on job creation.
The strategy recognises a number of sectors including agriculture, forestry, energy and tourism. These sectors are earmarked to have some great opportunities for green job creation in the country. The strategy will also be a working tool that ensures the country’s vision is realised.
This was made known at a two-day validation workshop on the National Green Jobs Strategy in Accra. The strategy has been developed into the ‘Ghana Green Jobs Programme’, and is envisaged to culminate in realising the overall goal of creating more decent green jobs in the country for job seekers, particularly the teeming youth.
Mr. Twum indicated that the strategy’s implementation period will be within 2021 and 2025, adding that every year there will be a need for research and coordination by the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations.
The National Green Jobs Policy document was produced with the active participation of various stakeholders including key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Academia, Development Partners and a host of others. They broadly examined the state of green job initiatives and identified the challenges that need to be addressed in order to promote the creation of green jobs in all sectors of the economy.
Commissioning the Strategy
The National Green Jobs Strategy Policy Analysis document was commissioned by the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR) in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Country Director of SNV Ghana – co-partner in the execution of green jobs – Anjo Van Toorn noted that his outfit is dedicated to working with government institutions to create decent jobs for youth.
