Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment Inaugurates Technical Working Committee for Adwumawura and National Apprenticeship Programs

The Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare Addo, has inaugurated a technical working committee to oversee the implementation of two key government initiatives—the Adwumawura programme and the National Apprenticeship programme.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Minister emphasized the government's commitment to tackling youth unemployment and equipping young people with skills and opportunities for economic empowerment.

“These initiatives reflect the vision of President John Dramani Mahama to create an environment where young people can thrive through entrepreneurship and technical training,” he stated.

The Adwumawura Programme, to be implemented by the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), aims to support 10,000 young Ghanaians aged 18 to 35 in launching and growing their businesses. The Minister outlined the technical committee's responsibilities, including identifying viable start-ups, addressing regulatory challenges, and ensuring businesses under the program align with the 24-hour economy policy. The committee has two weeks to submit a detailed report, with the national launch set for April 23, 2025.

Similarly, the National Apprenticeship Programme, to be implemented by the National Youth Authority (NYA), will provide free technical and vocational training, startup capital, and certification for young apprentices to become self-employed. The technical committee for this program has also been given two weeks to finalize its report, with the official launch scheduled for April 30, 2025.

To ensure effective coordination, the Ministry will establish a dedicated secretariat to oversee the implementation and evaluation of both programs. The Minister urged members of the technical committees to work diligently, stressing the need for collaboration and commitment to achieving the set targets.

“These programs will not only reduce unemployment but also create sustainable opportunities for our youth. I encourage all stakeholders to align their efforts with this mission,” he added.

The event brought together key government officials, development partners, and industry leaders committed to supporting youth empowerment initiatives.

Adding his voice, CEO of National Youth Authority (NYA) and Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Osman Abdulai Ayariga Esq., emphasized the importance of engaging youth from all walks of life, including those in and out of school, as well as apprentices and master craftsmen.

“We cannot plan a proposal or implement it without engaging the very people it is meant for. Our consultations started in the manifesto stage, and they will continue even after implementation because there is no perfect program—we must keep refining it until we get it right,” he said.

He further disclosed that the Ministry of Finance has allocated GHS 300 million to kickstart the National Apprenticeship Programme, with additional efforts to secure donor funding for long-term sustainability.

“We will not, cannot, and shall not disappoint,” he assured, promising both the Minister and the President that the committee would deliver on its mandate effectively.

With the combined efforts of government, stakeholders, and development partners, these initiatives are expected to significantly impact youth employment and entrepreneurship across Ghana.