President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in a moment of pride and reassurance, has lauded the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) for its substantial strides in combatting unemployment in Ghana, particularly among the youth.
His commendation came during a forum for YEA beneficiaries in the Ashanti Region.
Addressing attendees at the Bantama Church of Pentecost in Kumasi, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing the appeal and effectiveness of YEA’s programmes. He assured support for the security services in considering the appeals of YEA beneficiaries.
Highlighting the significance of the upcoming elections, the President, in a tone of empowerment and responsibility, urged citizens to participate actively and make informed decisions. “The future of Ghana resides in you and your votes,” he asserted.
Minister for Employment and Labour Relations Ignatius Baffour Awuah echoed the President’s sentiments, commending YEA’s leadership for unprecedented achievements. He noted that YEA has positively impacted over 400,000 to 500,000 individuals through employment opportunities over four years, with more than 100,000 beneficiaries annually. These achievements include a significant reduction in youth unemployment rates and the successful transition of many beneficiaries into sustainable employment.
Awuah highlighted YEA’s expansion into various trades beyond its traditional roles, including carpentry, masonry, welding, and hairdressing. He urged security agencies to utilize the talents of YEA beneficiaries effectively.
CEO of YEA, Kofi Agyepong, affirmed the agency’s dedication to its beneficiaries, ensuring timely payments and providing training to enhance skills and morale. He shared success stories of beneficiaries who have created jobs for themselves and others.
In the Ashanti Region alone, Agyepong noted that 8,496 beneficiaries are engaged in various sectors, including community policing, healthcare, and corrections.
YEA continues to support 6,011 businesses in the region, offering allowances to service employees. Textile model beneficiaries receive GHC1,857 for 143 firms, while larger garment companies benefit over GHC92,000 each.
Agyepong acknowledged challenges with the sanitation model’s payment structure, particularly the delays in disbursement and the need for more transparent processes. However, he assured stakeholders of forthcoming improvements, including a more efficient payment system and increased oversight to prevent delays and ensure fairness.
