Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Kofi Baah Agyepong, has said his outfit does not politicise youth unemployment issues.
“We are committed to resolving youth unemployment. Our focus is on ensuring that our beneficiaries are at the heart of everything we do” he said.
He made this known during the YEA Beneficiary Forum in Kumasi on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday.
His statement follows accusations by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding ineffective solution to youth unemployment in the country and alleged unnecessary expenditures in duplicate ministries.
But Mr. Agyepong refuted the claims, arguing that, all programmes are aimed at creating jobs for the youth.
He said the YEA recently launched its Artisanal Trades and Vocation Module to create a minimum of twenty thousand sustainable jobs by the end of the year.
Mr. Agyepong noted that, the Agency has structured an exit plan for beneficiaries.
“Creating sustainable employment for our youth is more critical than ever,” he stated. “Our initiative includes various vocational training programs such as brick molding, business support, and agriculture.”
The YEA plans to collaborate with private sector players under a public-private partnership (PPP) to enhance its vocational training efforts.
This model, he noted aims to equip over twenty thousand youth with startup tools and entrepreneurial skills by the end of 2024.
“Each beneficiary will receive quality startup tools and undergo training in entrepreneurship,” Agyepong explained.
“Our goal is to prepare them for self-employment and ensure they deliver high-quality products and services” he added.
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Youth unemployment has long been a national concern in Ghana, viewed as a significant threat to security.
The YEA’s initiatives are designed to complement existing government efforts to address this pressing issue.
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