The Youth Employment Agency (YEA), in collaboration with The Ghana Report, has successfully concluded the 2024 Jobs and Entrepreneurship Fair, empowering 2,356 beneficiaries with essential skills in various trades. The 14-day event, which started on 19th September and ended today at Independence Square and the Accra International Conference Centre, aimed to tackle unemployment by offering youth job training and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Deputy CEO of YEA, Mr. Bashiru Ibrahim, expressed the agency’s satisfaction with the outcome of the fair. “At the end of the 14 days, we have had about 2,356 people acquire skills in over 10 trade areas,” he stated, excluding the 5,000 individuals who were trained under the security services category. Mr. Ibrahim noted that the YEA is excited about the potential ripple effect of the training. “What excites us at the Youth Employment Agency is the fact that these young people, who have been given this opportunity, will in the coming days teach their colleagues,” he added.
The beneficiaries will leave the fair with start-up kits, equipped to launch their businesses. Mr. Ibrahim urged them to take the training seriously, as it offers a foundation for their entrepreneurial journey.
The Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Hon. Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, who graced the occasion, announced that the government will provide each beneficiary with a grant of 1,000 Cedis to help them kickstart their ventures. “The government has intended to give every beneficiary 1,000 Cedis to at least pick a car and buy some materials to start their businesses,” he revealed.
The fair, which ran daily from 8 AM to 10 PM (except Sundays), brought together key partners, including the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), and The Ghana Report. These organizations played vital roles in ensuring the success of the fair by offering training, resources, and networking opportunities for job seekers.
The Jobs and Entrepreneurship Fair has been lauded as a key initiative in reducing youth unemployment and encouraging self-reliance through entrepreneurship.