The Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment has brought together key youth-focused institutions and young people from across the country to discuss employment, entrepreneurship, skills development and other challenges affecting the future of the youth.
The engagement formed part of the National Youth Forum 2026 held at the Kofi Ohene-Konadu Auditorium of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), under the theme, “A Sound Youth, A Sound Nation: Your Voice. Your Future. Our Ghana.”
The forum brought together the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, National Youth Authority (NYA), Youth Employment Agency (YEA), National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) and National Service Authority (NSA), alongside young people and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the forum, Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo Esq., said the engagement was intended to give young people a direct opportunity to tell government what is working, what is not and what needs to be improved.
He assured participants that government was listening to their concerns and encouraged them to bring forward practical solutions to the challenges confronting them.
The forum also focused strongly on the transition from education and National Service into employment.
Director-General of the National Service Authority, Ruth Dela Seddoh, disclosed that 60 percent of National Service personnel are expected to be posted to private-sector organisations, while the remaining 40 percent will be placed in the public sector.
She explained that the approach is aimed at giving young people greater exposure to the private sector and improving their chances of securing employment after completing their national service.
Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency, Malik Basintale, highlighted the agency’s employment interventions, saying the YEA has recruited more than 90,000 young people through various programmes.
He said the beneficiaries include young people engaged in areas such as community policing, fire service assistance, prisons assistance, and other public employment modules.
According to Malik Basintale, more than 8,000 young people have also gained opportunities with private-sector companies through partnership programmes.
He cited the example of a beneficiary who was initially placed at the Canadian Embassy and has since secured employment there as a language translator, describing such outcomes as evidence of how employment programmes can create pathways to further opportunities.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority, Osman Abdulai Ayariga, also called for youth development to be considered across different sectors of the economy and governance.
He stressed the importance of reflecting young people’s interests in policies, budgets and programmes while encouraging the youth to take an active role in shaping Ghana’s future.
Mr Ayariga further highlighted the National Apprenticeship Programme, which provides skills training for both educated and non-educated young people.
He said the programme combines 30 percent classroom learning with 70 percent practical training to ensure that participants acquire skills relevant to the workplace and marketplace.
According to him, the programme initially targeted 10,000 apprentices but had trained 14,000 people by 2025, with plans to expand its reach to 100,000 young people.
He added that efforts are also being made to strengthen the wider apprenticeship system through stakeholder consultations, training and certification of master craft persons, mentorship and standardisation.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Eric Adjei Esq., highlighted efforts to support entrepreneurs beyond skills development.
He said the programme has also engaged the Ghana Revenue Authority on measures aimed at easing tax-related pressures on entrepreneurs as they build their businesses.
The forum also placed attention on the dangers of substance abuse among young people.
Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, cautioned young people against illicit drug use and urged them to stay away from substance abuse that could undermine their health, education and future prospects.
He encouraged young people to look up to positive role models and warned that individuals involved in illicit drug trafficking should not expect protection from the presidency or NACOC.
The National Youth Forum provided a common platform for youth-focused institutions to present ongoing interventions while engaging directly with young people on employment, skills, entrepreneurship, national service, substance abuse and other issues affecting their lives.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for the various youth agencies to demonstrate how their programmes are being used to create pathways for young people from education and training into employment, entrepreneurship and further opportunities.
By: Sakina Mustapha