The Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Malik Basintale has announced a strategic partnership with the Ghana Digital Centre.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series, Mr. Basintale emphasised that the initiative is part of the agency’s broader push for youth empowerment.
“The YEA has successfully signed an MOU with the Ghana Digital Center to enroll 2,000 beneficiaries into various IT-related programs and capacity-building initiatives, and we are hopeful that by the end of November this achievement or this target will be achieved.”
Malik Basintale
The proposed intake represents a significant target for the agency’s ICT model, which has recorded 725 beneficiaries as of September 30, 2026. Mr Basintale explained that the intervention responds to the growing relevance of technology to employment and economic participation, positioning digital competencies alongside the practical skills offered through other YEA programmes.
Beyond the ICT intervention, the CEO highlighted the agency’s industrial attachment and business support programme, which recorded 500 beneficiaries trained at the National Insurance Commission. Each participant received two certificates, while those enrolled are expected to secure employment with the National Insurance Commission after completing their two-year engagement with the YEA.
Meanwhile, the agency’s Safe-and-Fast Community Transport System is approaching implementation following the procurement of motorbikes and the completion of training for prospective participants. Mr Basintale indicated that 2,000 beneficiaries are expected to be onboarded in November through a dedicated application, contributing to a four-year target of 10,000 participants.
On the other hand, the Work Abroad programme also recorded 1,000 beneficiaries who obtained opportunities to work in different countries through lawful labour migration pathways.
YEA Plans Agricultural Jobs And GWYESCO Training For Youth
Plans to create employment through commercial farming and specialised vocational training have emerged as key elements of the Youth Employment Agency’s future interventions, with Chief Executive Officer Malik Basintale outlining proposed partnerships and funding under the Ghana Women and Youth Employment and Social Cohesion Programme (GWYESCO).
Mr Basintale identified agriculture and targeted skills development as avenues for expanding economic opportunities for young Ghanaians.
The proposed agricultural initiative will involve collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and its relevant agencies to develop large-scale farms and organise farming support services, while GWYESCO is expected to support training and employment for 11,200 beneficiaries.
“We want to move away from the traditional perception of agriculture as an occupation of last resort and instead position it as a productive, technology-driven, and economically rewarding sector capable of absorbing significant numbers of Ghana’s unemployed youth.”
Malik Basintale
Mr Basintale explained that the agricultural partnership is intended to create opportunities across crop production, farm operations, mechanisation, irrigation and post-harvest handling. The proposed framework would also give young people practical experience within agricultural value chains and help them develop the capacity to establish viable farming enterprises.
The CEO drew on his personal experience as a farmer, noting that he would welcome opportunities to show young people farms he operates to inspire greater interest in the sector. He linked the initiative to improving agricultural productivity, supporting food security and expanding youth participation in commercial farming.
In addition to the agricultural proposal, Mr Basintale announced that US$3.6 million, equivalent to approximately GH¢44 million, has been earmarked for the YEA under GWYESCO. Supported by the African Development Bank, the programme seeks to expand economic opportunities, develop skills, empower women and young people and strengthen social cohesion through sustainable employment.
Preparatory work has commenced, with beneficiary recruitment anticipated to begin in the first week of November 2026. The agency plans to implement six specialised interventions covering briquette production, biodigester construction and installation, hospitality, sustainable transport, beauty and care services as well as domestic service under the YEA Care initiative.
These areas are intended to equip participants with market-relevant skills while opening opportunities for employment and enterprise development. The programme also extends the agency’s proposed interventions into environmental services and other sectors with potential for practical skills acquisition.
YEA Deploys 11,788 Community Police Assistants Across Ghana
The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) engaged, trained and deployed 11,788 beneficiaries under its Community Police Assistant module to support the Ghana Police Service and contribute to public safety.
Mr Basintale explained that the initiative combines youth employment with practical experience in community service and security operations. According to the CEO, beneficiaries undergo professional training and orientation provided by the Ghana Police Service to prepare them for their assigned responsibilities.
“The Community Police Assistant module is a project under the Youth Employment Agency, under our module termed as Youth in Community Service and Security Module, developed to provide human resource support for the Ghana Police Service, as well as provide the opportunity for the youth to experience the service and explore the possibilities of pursuing a career in the field while contributing to public safety.”
Malik Basintale
He also disclosed that participants receive the logistics, skills and professional guidance required to support the country’s security apparatus.
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