Accra, May 2, 2025 – In a significant development aimed at reducing youth unemployment in Ghana, the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This groundbreaking agreement, endorsed at the Ministry of the Interior, was overseen by Interior Minister Mr. Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak alongside Minister for Youth Empowerment and Employment Mr. George Opare Addo.
This strategic partnership is poised to recruit and train over 5,000 young Ghanaians to support the GNFS, particularly in managing fire incidents in marketplaces. According to Mr. Mubarak, participants will engage in a two-year program, with plans to subsequently extend opportunities to other security agencies, including the Police Service. This initiative is a key component of President John Dramani Mahama’s Reset Ghana Agenda, prioritizing job creation as a core objective.
Recent statistics from the Ghana Statistical Service reveal a concerning youth unemployment rate of 32.8% in 2023 among individuals aged 15 to 24, underscoring the importance of such targeted initiatives. Mr. Addo emphasized that this collaboration would empower participants by equipping them with vital skills, thereby enhancing their prospects for securing permanent employment opportunities. Moreover, he characterized the venture as an intentional strategy to foster sustainable jobs and decrease youth-related crime.
YEA’s Chief Executive Officer, Malik Basintale, expressed unwavering support for the partnership’s goals and dedication to devising further solutions to address youth unemployment. Basintale assured the public that YEA would soon open portals for enlistment applications, provide financial stipends, and, upon completion of training, recommend qualified candidates for positions within security services.
Source: https://gna.org.gh/
