President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth development, describing the newly launched National Apprenticeship Programme as a testament to the government’s unwavering dedication to investing in Ghana’s most critical national asset — the youth.
Speaking at the official launch of the initiative under the theme “Skills for Prosperity: Empowering Ghana’s Future,” President Mahama highlighted the urgency of addressing youth unemployment and equipping young people with skills that meet the demands of the 21st-century job market.
“This initiative will prepare our young people for meaningful employment,” he stated. “It reaffirms the pledge in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2024 Manifesto to empower the youth with relevant, marketable skills.”
President Mahama acknowledged the challenge posed by Ghana’s rapidly growing youth population, noting that many young citizens lack the skills needed to thrive in today’s economy.
“Ghana is blessed with a vibrant and energetic youthful population, yet too many of our young people are battling unemployment and underemployment,” he said.
Citing recent data from the Ghana Statistical Service, President Mahama revealed that the youth unemployment rate stands at 12.6% for individuals aged 15 to 35, with an alarming 29% of young people not engaged in education, employment, or training.
“These figures are not just statistics,” he emphasized.
“They represent real lives. They reflect the dreams deferred and the untapped potential of our young people.”
The National Apprenticeship Programme, backed by a GHS 300 million allocation in the 2025 budget, is expected to train over 500,000 youth over the next five years, starting with an initial 10,000 apprentices in May 2025.
The programme will be expanded annually to reach 100,000 apprentices across the country.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to transform technical and vocational training in Ghana and create sustainable employment opportunities for the youth.
