The Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Mr. Osman Ayariga, Esq., has reiterated his strong commitment to addressing youth unemployment and promoting skills development through strategic national interventions.
He made this known during a two-day orientation workshop held in Accra for staff and officers of the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP), a flagship initiative under the NYA aimed at equipping Ghanaian youth with employable skills.
In his keynote address, Mr. Ayariga outlined the Authority’s four-year strategic plan, emphasizing job creation, youth leadership development, expanded economic opportunities, and the promotion of active citizenship. He stressed that the NYA is placing a high premium on entrepreneurship and apprenticeship as pathways to meaningful employment, particularly within local communities.
“The National Apprenticeship Programme is more than just a training module. It is a comprehensive support system designed to guide participants before, during, and after their training—complete with allowances and post-training integration,” Mr. Ayariga stated.
He revealed that the initial phase of the programme targets the enrollment of 10,000 apprentices and noted that a robust monitoring and evaluation framework has been instituted to ensure long-term success and sustainability.
Mr. Ayariga further charged participants to take ownership of the programme’s implementation and deliver on the vision of transforming lives through skill-based empowerment.
Also present at the workshop was the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare Addo, who lauded the NYA under Mr. Ayariga’s leadership for spearheading impactful youth initiatives. He reiterated the government’s support for the apprenticeship model and encouraged NAP officers to uphold high standards of professionalism.
Other speakers included Mr. Nicodemus Dery, the National Coordinator for NAP, who presented an overview of the programme, and Alhaji Inusah Mahama, Deputy CEO in charge of Programs and Operations, who provided insights on data collection processes involving apprentices and master craftsmen.
The workshop ended with renewed enthusiasm among participants, inspired by Mr. Osman Ayariga’s vision to make the NYA a driving force in reducing youth unemployment across Ghana.
