NYA and YEA Scale Up Youth Employment Initiatives with 100,000 New Apprenticeship Targets for 2026

The government of Ghana has significantly expanded its youth empowerment and employment initiatives, with the National Youth Authority (NYA) and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) announcing record-breaking recruitment and training figures. In 2025, the National Apprenticeship Programme successfully trained 14,000 young people, exceeding its initial target of 10,000. Following this success, NYA Chief Executive Officer Osman Ayariga announced an ambitious roadmap to train 100,000 youth by the end of 2026, focusing on bridging the skills gap through a curriculum that balances 30% classroom instruction with 70% hands-on practical training.

To support this expansion, the NYA is implementing a comprehensive support system for young entrepreneurs and mastercraft persons. Beyond technical training, the authority is certifying mastercraft persons to ensure high standards of mentorship and is providing youth-owned businesses with critical financial relief. Already, 21 endorsements for tax holidays have been approved, signaling a shift toward making youth entrepreneurship more sustainable and rewarding under the current administration's economic framework.

Simultaneously, the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has achieved a major milestone by recruiting over 90,000 young individuals for various public sector and community-based roles. CEO Malik Basintale revealed that these recruits have been integrated into vital services, including 6,000 personnel in community medical services and 12,000 in community policing, alongside roles in the fire service and research. This multi-sectoral approach aims to provide immediate employment while addressing critical manpower shortages in essential services across the country.

Looking forward, the government is set to launch the Graduates and Corporate Support Programme, a strategic collaboration between the YEA, the National Service Secretariat, and the 24-Hour Economy initiative championed by President John Mahama. This upcoming programme is designed to create additional pathways for university graduates to enter the corporate workforce, ensuring that the momentum of the 24-Hour Economy is fueled by a skilled and energetic youth population. These collective efforts represent a centralized push to reduce unemployment and foster industrial growth through vocational excellence and professional placement.