YEA targets 11,200 youth for jobs and skills training under US$3.6m programme ‎

‎The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) is preparing to train and create employment opportunities for 11,200 beneficiaries under the Ghana Women and Youth Employment and Social Cohesion Programme (GWYESCO), with approximately US$3.6 million allocated to the Agency for the initiative.
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‎The Chief Executive Officer of the YEA, Malik Basintale, announced this during the Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
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‎He said the allocation, supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), was equivalent to approximately GH¢44 million and would finance training and employment interventions targeting women and young people.
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Mr. ‎Basintale disclosed that preparatory activities had begun, with the recruitment of beneficiaries expected to commence in the first week of November 2026.
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‎He explained that the programme was designed to equip participants with practical, market-relevant skills while creating opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and self-employment.
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‎Mr. Basintale said the programme would be implemented through six specialised interventions targeting different sectors of the economy.
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‎These include briquette production, biodigester construction and installation, hospitality and domestic services under the YEA Care Connect initiative, construction, sustainable transport services, and beauty care services.
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‎He said the selected areas were intended to equip beneficiaries with skills that respond to market demands while opening up opportunities in emerging and environmentally sustainable industries.
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‎The interventions are also expected to support enterprise development and improve the livelihoods of vulnerable groups, particularly women and young people seeking employment.
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‎The YEA chief executive said GWYESCO would help demonstrate how targeted employment interventions could address unemployment while promoting entrepreneurship and environmentally sustainable economic activities.
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‎“Through GWYESCO, we intend to demonstrate that youth employment interventions can simultaneously address unemployment, promote entrepreneurship, support the transition towards greener economic activities and improve the livelihoods of vulnerable populations,” Basintale said.
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‎He added that the Agency remained committed to developing employment initiatives that provide beneficiaries with practical skills and opportunities to establish sustainable livelihoods.
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‎The programme forms part of efforts to expand employment opportunities for women and young people while promoting social cohesion and supporting economic development through specialised skills training.