The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has celebrated a significant milestone with the graduation of its first cohort of 10,000 artisans from its revolutionary skills training programme.
The ceremony, held at Valley View University, marked a pivotal moment in the nation’s efforts to empower its youth with vital vocational skills.
Kofi Baah Agyepong, CEO of YEA, addressed the gathering, describing the achievement as a “game-changer” for the country. He praised the newly trained artisans, calling them “young game changers” who have acquired expertise in 10 essential trade areas, including carpentry, beauty care, autoworks, plaster of Paris (POP), welding, glazing, electricals, painting, plumbing, and hairdressing.“These 10,000 talented young men and women represent the first half of our ambitious goal to train 20,000 skilled professionals,” Agyepong said.
“Today, we stand on this humble ground to congratulate them as they embark on a journey that will not only transform their lives but also uplift their families and the entire country.”
In addition to receiving a stipend of 3,000 cedis during their training, each graduate was provided with essential equipment and materials upon completion to help them start their own businesses.
The YEA also launched the GhArtisan App, a mobile platform designed to connect clients with certified artisans, making it easier to hire skilled professionals.
Mr Agyepong urged the government to integrate these trained artisans into ongoing national projects, such as the Agenda 111 initiative.
He also called for policies that prioritize employing YEA-certified professionals for all government projects within their respective districts.
To the graduates, Agyepong offered words of encouragement, emphasizing that their hard work and newly acquired skills have equipped them to shape their futures and contribute significantly to the country’s development.
“Today marks the beginning of your journey—a journey that you started from humble beginnings and that will carry you toward a future of endless possibilities,” he concluded.
This milestone represents a significant step forward in addressing youth unemployment in Ghana, positioning the YEA’s training programme as a model for sustainable development and economic empowerment.
