The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) is intensifying efforts to tackle Ghana’s growing youth unemployment crisis, with new programmes and partnerships aimed at creating sustainable job opportunities across sectors. This was disclosed by the Public Relations Officer of YEA, Abdul Wahab Jawondo.
According to the Ghana Statistical Service, the country’s overall unemployment rate stands at 13.1% as of 2024, with youth unemployment covering ages 15 to 35 hitting a staggering 22.5%.
Each year, approximately 100,000 graduates emerge from tertiary institutions, yet only about 10% are absorbed into the public sector.
Mr. Jawondo noted that experts cite several contributing factors to the unemployment situation, including population growth, economic constraints, and a mismatch between skills and market demand. A key concern, he explained, is the orientation of young people, many of whom “have too much desire for public sector jobs,” coupled with “inadequate capacity for creativity” and “skills mismatch.”
To address these challenges, he stressed the need for a “re-orientation of youth” and a renewed focus on “improving skills and education.”
The Youth Employment Agency, operating under the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, is mandated “to create and coordinate employment opportunities for young people.” Established by the Youth Employment Agency Act, 2015 (Act 887), YEA replaced the former Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA).
According to Mr. Jawondo, YEA works closely with private companies, NGOs, and development partners to deliver training, job placement, and entrepreneurship support. “YEA partners with private companies, NGOs and development agencies to provide training, job placement and entrepreneurship opportunities,” he confirmed.
Eligible beneficiaries, he explained, include “Ghanaian youth between the ages of 15 and 35, including graduates, school leavers, women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and vulnerable groups.”
Sectors covered
YEA’s interventions span multiple sectors such as education, health, security, environment, and corporate/private sector support. Programmes include:
Education: Teaching assistants, school support
Health: Community health workers, community first responders
Security: Community protection assistants, fire assistants, prison assistants
Environment: Sanitation, coastal cleanup, eco-friendly jobs
Corporate and Private Sector Support: Job centre, opportunities for working abroad, artisan directory, corporate internships
Achievements so far
The Agency, through Mr. Jawondo, says it has already created tens of thousands of opportunities:
12,000 youth have been engaged as Community Policing Assistants with the Ghana Police Service
5,000 as Fire Assistants with the Ghana National Fire Service
5,000 ongoing placements as Prison Office Assistants with the Ghana Prison Service
6,000 ongoing as Community First Respondents with the Ghana Ambulance Service
3,000 Arabic instructors currently engaged
5,000 youth engaged through the Job Centre
5,000 under the Work Abroad programme
2,000 youth being registered for sustainable charcoal production under the YEA Waste to Wealth Project, in partnership with Zacoal Company Limited. The initiative promotes the use of agricultural waste such as coconut husk to produce clean, eco-friendly charcoal, reducing pollution from traditional methods.
500 youth engaged as National Insurance Enforcers with the National Insurance Commission
Mr. Jawondo also revealed that YEA will soon roll out additional modules including Community Health Workers, School Support Programme, and Community Education Teaching Assistants.
Interested youth, he added, can apply through the official YEA website or visit any regional or district YEA office for assistance.
