YEA secures jobs for 800 artisans with German construction firm

The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with German construction firm, Inzag Germany, to recruit about 800 Ghanaian artisans to help construct the 64.7 kilometres Ashaiman to Akosombo section of the Eastern Corridor road.

€256m project

The project, which will cost some €256 million, is being constructed by INZAG Gmbh of Germany, and encompasses the construction of two-lane dual carriageway, two-lane service road, interchange, a flyover among others.

INZAG Gmbh of Germany

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YEA, Kofi Baah Agyepong and officials of INZAG Gmbh of Germany signed the MoU in Accra yesterday.

Representatives INZAG Gmbh of Germany are Jose Teles – Project Director, Fernando Mariano – Country Manager and Alvaro Veiga de Oliveira – Contract Manager.

Focus on training, development and up skilling of artisans

The signing ceremony is a fulfilment of a pledge YEA CEO made a couple of months ago to “focus on the training, development and up skilling of artisans.”

This was part of his vision to address the problem of the dearth of artisans with the requisite and quality skills set which are sought after by employing firms.

Agyepong explained that by this arrangement, “the recruits are not only going to earn a living for themselves through this employment, but will proudly contribute their expertise to the construction of this major state asset and gain skills upgrade”

Welfare and safety

He assured that the welfare and safety of these workers is paramount, stressing that not only will they receive a satisfactory salary which he did not disclose but they will also have their income taxes, social security contributions and all other statutory payments made by INZAG Gmbh, of Germany.

Protective clauses for the workers

The YEA CEO further disclosed that protective clauses have been put in place to cater for worker risks and other occupational hazards that might befall workers in the cause of their work.

He stated further that procedures and avenues for worker complaints, disciplinary actions and dispute resolutions have been laid out.

160,000 to be recruited

YEA targets to recruit some 160,000 young people into various jobs by end of 2023.

The breakdown includes Community Police Assistants -15,000, Community Health Worker- 6,000, Prisons Office Assistants 2,000, Fire Service – 2,000, sanitation workers – 45,000, Komenda sugar factory – 4,000 among others

Ashaiman-Akosombo road project to be completed in September 2024

Work on the 64.7km Ashaiman-Akosombo road project, which forms part of the Eastern Corridor road project, commenced in May 2022 and expected to be completed in 30 months (September 2024).

2-lane dual carriageway from Sebrepor to Afienya

Additionally, there will be a two-lane dual carriageway from Sebrepor to Afienya.

2-lane dual carriageway from Afienya to Kpong

It will also have a two-lane dual carriageway from Afienya to Kpong, and a two-lane single carriageway from Kpong to Atimpoku.

Interchange at  Asutuare and a flyover at Ashaiman

The project will also see the construction of an interchange at  Asutuare and a flyover at Ashaiman.

Road key economic development

Government recognises the importance of the road to the economic development of the country.

Easing vehicular traffic

The project will also ease vehicular traffic and bring relief to the people in the area.

Mobilisation to the site

Mobilisation to the site has started with some work having already commenced, including clearing edges of the road to pave way for the start of the earth work.

Project had been divided into 4 sections

The project had been divided into four sections, the first of which involved the construction of a 6km, which has a two-lane dual carriageway with service roads from Ashaiman to Gbetsile.

3 river bridges and 11 pedestrian footbridges

Three river bridges and 11 pedestrian footbridges will be constructed as well as provision of walkways, street lights, and drainage.

Relocation of utilities

Engagement with utility companies – the Ghana Water Company Limited and the Electricity Company of Ghana, as well as telecommunication companies was ongoing for relocation of affected lines.