The National Youth Authority (NYA) has formed a strategic partnership with the courier company Shaqexpress to train 1,000 young Ghanaians each year in electric bike courier and Okada (commercial motorcycle) services. This initiative supports the government’s broader agenda to provide the youth with practical skills for employment while promoting environmentally friendly transportation alternatives.
Osman Ayariga, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NYA, highlighted to Citi News that the program goes beyond teaching riding skills. “We are going to train them not just on how to ride the bikes but also on how to build a business around it,” he explained. Ayariga emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship, stating, “There’s a difference between simply doing a ‘work and pay’ arrangement and establishing a business model that ensures you can repay and sustain your operations.”
Shaqexpress will assume responsibility for developing the training curriculum and methodologies. Additionally, the company will facilitate access to the electric bikes through a structured work-and-pay system, making the venture both accessible and sustainable for trainees. Ayariga also noted an open invitation to other delivery and Okada companies interested in collaborating to expand this training and entrepreneurial support effort.
This partnership aligns seamlessly with ongoing government initiatives aimed at regulating and professionalizing the commercial motorcycle transport sector in Ghana. It forms a crucial component of efforts to create jobs and empower youth, while fostering sustainable practices within the transportation industry.
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