Labour and Employment Minister, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, has highlighted the significant impact of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) in reducing unemployment across the country.
Since its inception, the YEA has successfully engaged a total of 732,898 Ghanaians in various employment modules, providing crucial job opportunities for the nation's youth and contributing to the overall stability of the labour market.
Minister Baffour Awuah noted that the YEA has been instrumental in the government's broader strategy to tackle youth unemployment.
Through targeted interventions and partnerships, the agency has created pathways for young Ghanaians to gain meaningful employment, thereby reducing the pressures of unemployment and underemployment nationwide.
In 2023 alone, the YEA engaged 116,089 beneficiaries across different sectors, reinforcing the government's commitment to expanding employment opportunities and enhancing the skills of the workforce.
These initiatives have not only provided immediate job placements but have also equipped participants with the skills necessary to thrive in the evolving job market.
The Minister emphasized that the YEA's success is part of the government's larger effort to ensure that every Ghanaian, particularly the youth, has access to opportunities that will enable them to contribute to the nation's economic growth.
He reiterated that the government is dedicated to rolling out further initiatives aimed at creating more employment avenues and addressing the job mismatch that often plagues the labour market.
To support these efforts, the Ministry has introduced several other programs, including the Green Jobs Sensitization program, which has created over 20,000 jobs in the green sector.
Additionally, the Ghana-European Centre has been established to deter Ghanaians from seeking job opportunities abroad, instead offering viable alternatives within the country.
Minister Baffour Awuah also underscored the importance of ongoing reforms within the sector, noting that the Ministry has reviewed and updated labour laws to better align with current global standards.
A new Labour Bill, developed to address the challenges of the modern labour market, is set to be presented to Cabinet for approval soon.
The Minister concluded by reaffirming the government's commitment to improving the welfare of all Ghanaians and ensuring continued peace and stability within the workforce.
The YEA, along with other initiatives, remains a cornerstone of the government's strategy to reduce unemployment and build a more prosperous future for the nation.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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