NewzThe Youth Employment Agency (YEA) is preparing to train and create employment opportunities for 11,200 beneficiaries under the Ghana Women and Youth Employment and Social Cohesion Programme (GWYESCO), with approximately US$3.6 million earmarked for the Agency. Chief Executive Officer Malik Basintale announced the development when he addressed the Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House today, Wednesday, October 21. He said the allocation, supported by the African Development Bank, was equivalent to about GH¢44 million and would support training and employment interventions targeting women and young people.
Mr Basintale said preparatory activities had already commenced, with the recruitment of beneficiaries expected to begin in the first week of November 2026. The programme will cover six specialised interventions: youth in briquette production; biodigester construction and installation; hospitality and domestic services under the YEA Care Connect initiative; construction; sustainable transport services; and beauty care services. He said the interventions had been selected to equip beneficiaries with market-relevant skills while opening opportunities for self-employment, enterprise development and participation in emerging sectors of the economy.
“Through GWYESCO, we intend to demonstrate that youth employment interventions can simultaneously address unemployment, promote entrepreneurship, support the transition towards greener economic activities and improve the livelihoods of vulnerable populations,” Mr Basintale said. The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has increased monthly allowances for its beneficiaries from GH¢500 to GH¢800, representing a 60% increment, Chief Executive Officer Malik Basintale has announced. Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House today, Wednesday, October 21, Mr Basintale said the adjustment formed part of efforts to improve the welfare of young people participating in the Agency’s employment programmes.
He explained that the YEA recognised the importance of ensuring that employment interventions provided not only opportunities to work and acquire skills but also better support for beneficiaries who contribute to public services and other assigned activities. “We believe that the dignity of labour must be reflected, as much as practicable, in the remuneration and welfare of those who work, and we are doing just that!” he said. Mr Basintale also identified the timely payment of allowances as a priority, noting that the Agency had been working to improve the regularity and predictability of payments.
“We recognise that young people who commit themselves to public service deserve predictable remuneration, without having to endure prolonged and unnecessary delays,” he said. He acknowledged that challenges remained but said the Agency would continue to strengthen its payment arrangements, adding that beneficiary welfare would remain central to its operations. The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) says it has secured retention agreements with security agencies to facilitate the absorption of at least 60% of beneficiaries after completing their two-year engagement period.
He said the arrangements were intended to address concerns about the future of young people recruited under temporary employment interventions, particularly those who gain experience supporting the country’s security institutions. Mr Basintale said the Agency wanted to ensure that its programmes served as pathways to longer-term employment rather than merely providing temporary relief from unemployment. “Our vision is simple: youth employment must increasingly become a bridge to lasting careers, rather than a temporary response to unemployment,” he said.
Summary from source