Kofi Agyepong taking Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on an exhibition tour
VICE PRESIDENT Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has hailed the graduation of 10,000 beneficiaries from the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) as a significant achievement in the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s agenda to bridge the unemployment gap in Ghana.
The passing out ceremony, held yesterday in Techiman themed, “Agenda for Jobs, Curbing Youth Unemployment Remains the Focus of YEA”, marked the first batch of 20,000 youth trained in essential trades across all 16 administrative regions.
The graduates, many of whom are Free Senior High School (SHS) alumni, received training in various skills including masonry, carpentry, hairdressing, welding, plumbing, metal works, aluminum fabrication, painting, and cosmetology.
Dr. Bawumia addressed initial skepticism surrounding the feasibility of the six-month intensive skills training programme, emphasising that the successful graduation of these individuals is a testament to the government’s commitment to youth development.
“I am very happy to witness today seeing the graduation of 10,000 beneficiaries of the YEA Skill Training Programme. The project, which during the initial stages was speculative that it couldn’t be possible, has been made possible.
“You people can now attest to the fact that the NPP government has prioritised youth skills development as a mechanism to create jobs for the masses; reasons why we have invested huge sums of money into these projects for free,” he stated.
The Vice President said the 10,000 beneficiaries have been equipped with the necessary training and skills to establish their businesses, while commending the management of the project for making this possible.
He further announced the introduction of the “GHartisan App,” an online platform designed to connect trained artisans with potential clients, aligning with the government’s digitalisation agenda aimed at driving economic growth.
“This app will allow you to work efficiently and be easily accessible for your services,” Dr. Bawumia added.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YEA, Mr. Kofi Agyepong praised the graduates as living proof of what can be achieved with investment in youth.
He noted that each beneficiary received a monthly stipend of GH¢500 during their training, and will be provided with equipment to help establish their businesses.
Speaking on the GHartisan App, which is set to be launched on September 1, Mr. Agyepong assured beneficiaries that all trained personnel will be put on board for easy access by clients who may need their services at a fee.
“The GHartisan App will feature profiles of all trained artisans, making it easier for clients to find reliable services,” Mr. Agyepong explained, adding that “this app will solve access issues and make life easier for those seeking home services.”
Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, urged the graduates to uphold a strong work ethic to enhance the programme’s reputation.
He reiterated that this initiative reflects the NPP’s commitment to reducing unemployment in the country.
By Daniel Dayee