The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has, within two weeks, trained three thousand youth in the various entrepreneurship areas. The trainees have, at the end of the programme also been given financial support to start businesses they have been trained to do.
Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah, Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, over the weekend, handed over sewing machines, hair dryers, baking machines, makeup kits and GHS1,000 to empower these young entrepreneurs.
The beneficiaries were trained in Soap and Detergent making, Wallpaper Installation,
Dressmaking (Surface Ornamentation & pattern drafting), Electric Fence/Gate automation,
Solar Installation, GPS tracking, Innovative Agriculture, Manicure, Pedicure, Make-up
Catering (includes production of local drinks), Baking, Access Control system installation – Doors, CCTV Installation, DSTV Installation and Auto /vehicle diagnostics.
Others also received training in the area of Digital & Social Media Marketing, Coding & Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Drone Assembly & Operations, Phones & Laptop Repairs and Recycling of Waste Plastics.
The Labour Minister tasked YEA to monitor beneficiaries, ensuring they utilise these resources effectively. This initiative aims to address youth unemployment and promote economic growth in Ghana.
Background
The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) began its mission to empower Ghana’s youth on September 19, 2024. It launched a job initiative, providing networking and marketing opportunities to young people who completed a six-month training program. This effort addressed the dire consequences of youth unemployment, threatening Ghana’s economic and security architecture.
At the event, Deputy CEO Alhaji Bashiru Ibrahim commended the beneficiaries for embracing the challenges, particularly in the Kaya training programs.
He announced that 2,328 beneficiaries had acquired unique skills in various areas, including: Beauty and Wellness -548 beneficiaries, Makeup -245, in hair styling -236 and 125 in Cosmetology
The event also saw participation from over 30 private and public sector companies, including the Cyber Security Authority, Finance companies, Banks and Service companies.
Impressively 10,000 job applicants are currently under consideration for employment.
The YEA acknowledged the government’s commitment to developing technical capacities, particularly in STEM education, to address the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The agency appealed for continued support to strengthen STEM institutions and urged beneficiaries to share their skills with their communities.
Alhaji Ibrahim’s speech highlighted the importance of equipping youth with employable skills, particularly in the maritime sector, to enhance sub-regional security and drive sustainable development. This initiative demonstrates the YEA’s dedication to empowering Ghana’s youth and addressing unemployment.
As the YEA looks to the future, it plans to undertake more youth employment-related activities and seeks extended support from donor agencies, especially for women and persons with disabilities. With this life-changing initiative, the YEA is sowing the seeds of a brighter future for Ghana’s youth.
