President John Dramani Mahama has emphasized that the National Apprenticeship Programme will create over 500,000 jobs to bridge the youth unemployment gap in the country
According to him, the newly launched programme will afford the beneficiaries the opportunity to learn directly from experienced master craftsmen and women across various trades including tailoring, welding, hairdressing, carpentry, auto mechanics among others.
Speaking at the launch of the event in Tamale on April 30, President John Dramani Mahama, underscored the importance of the programme and admonished the youth to take advantage of it.
“The challenge we face today is a growing youth population with limited skills. Ghana is blessed with a vibrant and youthful population yet too many of our young citizens find themselves battling unemployment.”
“We cannot and will not stand by while our young people are denied the opportunity they will need to thrive. This initiative is a testament to our unwavering commitment to investing in our most critical aspects of our nation that is our youth,” he said.
He emphasized that full funding of 300 million cedis has been allocated in the 2025 budget to start the National Apprenticeship Programme.
“The National Apprenticeship Programme is designed to be inclusive, and we have said that at least 45 percent of the apprentice must be women, 5 percent persons with disabilities and special attention to be given to the marginalized and less privileged.”
For his part, Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, emphasized that the programme will ensure job creation to bridge the unemployment gap.
“Each apprentice will receive stipends for transportation, starter kits and certificate,” he announced.
The National Apprenticeship Programme, is one of government’s strategic initiative under the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, aimed at providing free technical and vocational training to young people as well equipping them with skills for self-employment.
It also provides an opportunity for the youth, to learn directly from experienced master craftsmen and women across various trades, including tailoring, welding, hairdressing, carpentry, auto mechanics among others.
