Massive withdrawal hits NABCo; 44,366 out of 100,000 applicants show up

The flagship graduates employment programme by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nation Builders Corps (NABCo) has been hit with withdrawals.

The programme which was expected to employ 100,000 graduates has only 49,642 out of the 54,481 successful applicants who applied.

Speaking on the withdrawal, Deputy Coordinator of NABCO, Dr Kojo Frimpong indicated that arrangements are made for the drop-outs to be replaced by the day.

After outdooring the programme at the Black Star Square on Wednesday, October 17, recruits were placed to start work in the various districts on Thursday, November 1.

Despite 100,000 advertised as the number of posted applicants, only 44,366 were expected to start work.

Therefore, more than half of the advertised number are yet to start.

“The initial 100,000 that was confirmed, we had some of the numbers that dropped out,” Dr Frimpong said on Thursday.

He adduced that some are withdrawing because they have other opportunities while others are not comfortable with the districts they have been posted to.

Others who may have had transfer requests denied also decided to back out.

“They are considering dropping out of the programme because it is not convenient for them,” the Deputy Coordinator said.

“So as for the drop-out, people will drop out and they will be replaced.”

NABCo recruits are expected to be paid GH¢700 monthly for a period of three years.

They will work in the 254 districts under seven modules: Civic Ghana, Digitise Ghana, Enterprise Ghana, Educate Ghana, Feed Ghana, Heal Ghana and Revenue Ghana.

Dr Frimpong says the placement is still ongoing and expressed optimism that the programme will be a success.

He, therefore, asked the media to give the success of the programme the same coverage as being done as its start.