Business News of Saturday, 4 August 2018
Source: citibusinessnews.com
Project Director for YIEDIE, Kafui Mills-Odoi
As the construction industry experiences a boom in Ghana, the likelihood of substandard materials being used for some of the projects also rises.
That’s according to the Project Director for the Youth Inclusive Entrepreneurial Development Initiative for Employment (YIEDIE), Kafui Mills-Odoi.
She is of the opinion that the establishment of a Construction Industry Development Authority-CIDA, will go a long way to promote excellence and ensure quality is delivered in the sector.
A bill for the authority has been pending for over three years, much to the frustration of local stakeholders in Ghana’s construction sector.
In an interview with Citi Business News, Madam Kafui Mills-Odoi stated that the establishment of the Construction Industry Development Authority will see to a prioritization of local construction firms.
“If you travel to other African countries like South Africa, Botswana, Rwanda and Nigeria they give preeminence to their own companies and the facilities, policies and opportunities favor their own host nationals. So it is important that we focus on that critical aspects of building local industries.”
Madam Mills-Odoi highlighted the importance of standardization, stating that it will help regulate activities in the industry.
“Having an agency that oversees standardization is critical. If you have an agency like that they will ensure that quality is assured. They make sure you don’t bring materials that are sub-standard. You won’t get the contract if you don’t have the right technical team. We are currently advocating for the Construction Industry Development Authority.”
Madam Mills-Odoi was speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the Youth Inclusive Entrepreneurial Development Initiative for Employment (YIEDIE) Alumni Association with a call on the youth to take advantage of the opportunities in the construction sector.
About YIEDIE
YIEDIE is a five-year project designed to create economic opportunities in Ghana’s construction sector for economically disadvantaged youth, implemented by Global Communities in partnership with The MasterCard Foundation. YIEDIE is expected to directly reach at least 23,700 of these youth with training in technical, life and/or entrepreneurship skills leading to employment.
The project applies an integrated youth-led market-systems model to improve the capacity of youth and service providers across the value chain. Youth will benefit from having job opportunities and higher income. Sector stakeholders—such as private sector firms, financial service providers, training institutions and government—are expected to benefit from improved coordination and capacity.
YIEDIE currently targets five of Ghana’s six largest cities—Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi, Ashaiman and Tema.
The youth-oriented project is expected to reach at least 25% of the potential population with information about YIEDIE to encourage enrollment, with at least 23,700 youth directly served through targeted training, new jobs/better employment, increased income and increased savings. Over 14,000 youth will also gain technical construction skills through participating in an apprenticeship program, enhanced with entrepreneurship, life skills and safety and health training. Other youth will receive the training that they need to become entrepreneurs in the construction sector along with support in microenterprise start-up or growth.