24,000 Youth to be Trained Annually Five Years in Agricultural business management , Financial Literacy, etc.

About 24,000 young people are set to receive comprehensive training in essential areas such as agricultural business management, financial literacy, and employable skills, among others. This initiative was unveiled during a press briefing held in Accra, where the National Youth Authority (NYA) announced its partnership with the Africa Skills Hub Foundation.

Speaking at the event, the CEO of the National Youth Authority, Pius Enam Hadzide highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating that it marks a pivotal moment in their collective efforts to mobilize and empower the youth of the country.

Emphasizing the NYA's commitment to youth development, he stressed the importance of collaboration in addressing the pressing issue of youth unemployment.

The partnership he said aims to provide essential business development services and training for SMEs in the agricultural sector and its adjacent fields. With the Africa Skills Hub Foundation overseeing the implementation of the training program, the NYA's role will focus on mobilizing and recruiting approximately 24,000 young individuals annually, aligning perfectly with its mandate to empower the 11.7 million youth of Ghana.

Furthermore, the CEO underscored the need for a sustainable approach to resolving the challenge of youth unemployment, emphasizing the importance of leveraging private sector partnerships and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among Ghanaian youth. He highlighted existing NYA programs such as Skills Towards Employability and Productivity (STEP), which not only provide training but also offer start-up support to selected youth across the country.

As the partnership prepares to kick off its recruitment drive in March this year , the NYA encourages young people to ready themselves to take advantage of this opportunity. Moreover, the CEO appealed to the business community to design portfolios that create opportunities for the youth, emphasizing the pivotal role of partnerships in addressing youth unemployment and advancing economic growth.

Highlighting government's efforts to supporting young people, Pius Hadzide  also mentioned the launch of the YouStart initiative aimed at providing crucial assistance to the youth. “With YouStart already underway, NYA believes that leveraging this initiative will significantly benefit young individuals who will receive the training through the partnership with Africa Skills Hub Foundation”.-By equipping them with the necessary skills and resources, the partnership serves as a catalyst for enhancing access to and utilization of the YouStart, thereby empowering more youth to embark on entrepreneurial ventures and contribute to the nation's development.

He emphasized the importance of preparing young people to utilize YouStart even before they receive the funding they require. This proactive approach he said will ensure that beneficiaries are well-equipped to make the most of the opportunities provided by the initiative.

Concluding his speech , he said the collaboration between the NYA and Africa Skills Hub Foundation represents a proactive step towards equipping Ghanaian youth with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to succeed in various sectors. With a robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism in place, the initiative aims to track the progress of all beneficiaries, ensuring maximum impact and sustainability in the years to come.

The Executive Director for Africa Skills Hub Foundation, Daniel Amoako Antwi on his part said the collaboration between the Africa Skills Hub Foundation and the National Youth Authority signifies a powerful alliance committed to empowering Ghana's youth with essential skills for success in the job market.

Adding that the District Skills and Entrepreneurship Roadshow, slated to commence in March 2024, promises to deliver impactful workshops and interactive sessions tailored to equip young people, particularly women, with practical skills and knowledge. “As the roadshow prepares to tour all 261 NYA district offices nationwide, stakeholders and corporate partners are encouraged to join hands in support of this noble initiative, fostering the development of a skilled workforce and a brighter future for Ghana's youth.