The first cohort of 10,000 artisans under the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) intensive skills training programme yesterday graduated at Oyibi near Accra.
At an impressive ceremony at Valley View University, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YEA, Mr Kofi Baah Agyepong, highlighted the significance of the graduation, describing it as a “game-changer” for the nation.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Agyepong praised the newly trained artisans, referring to them as “young game changers” who have mastered skills in 10 critical trade areas, including carpentry, beauty care, auto works, POP, welding, glazing, electricals, painting, plumbing, and hairdressing.
“These 10,000 talented young men and women represent the first half of our ambitious goal to train 20,000 skilled professionals.
“Today, we stand on this humble ground to congratulate them as they embark on a journey that will not only transform their lives but also their families and the entire country,” he said.
Each trained artisan received GH¢3,000 during the training and essential equipment and materials upon graduation to help them start their own businesses.
As part of the ceremony, the YEA also launched the GhArtisan App, a platform that will allow clients to easily find and hire these certified artisans through their mobile phones.
Mr Agyepong urged the government to incorporate these artisans into ongoing national projects, including the Agenda 111 initiative, and called for policies that prioritise employing trained and certified professionals from the YEA’s programme for all government projects in their respective districts.
To the graduates, Mr Agyepong offered words of encouragement, emphasizing that their hard work and newly acquired skills had equipped them to shape their futures and contribute significantly to the country’s development.
“Today marks the beginning of your journey—a journey that you started from humble beginnings and will carry you toward a future of endless possibilities,” he added
BY TIMES REPORTER
