National Service Personnel are also expected to benefit from the government’s 2027 expenditure plans, with GH¢1 billion allocated specifically for the payment of their allowances.
The allocation is part of the GH¢3.5 billion earmarked for the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment and reflects the government’s provision for meeting its financial obligations to personnel undertaking national service.
National Service remains an important transition between academic training and the world of work, providing graduates with opportunities to gain practical experience in public and private institutions.
However, while the budget provides GH¢1 billion for allowance payments, it does not specify a new monthly allowance rate or announce an increase in the amount received by individual personnel. The allocation therefore represents funding for allowance payments rather than confirmation of an upward adjustment.
GH¢2 Billion Set Aside for Youth Employment and Skills Development
According to the budget, GH¢2 billion of the GH¢3.5 billion allocation will support youth employment and skills development programmes.The funding is intended to strengthen interventions that equip young people with relevant skills and connect them to employment opportunities.
It also forms part of the government’s wider effort to make economic growth translate into jobs and improved livelihoods.In a related policy measure, the government plans to amend the Earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment Act, 2017 (Act 947), to remove the cap on funding earmarked for youth employment programmes.
The proposed reform is expected to release an additional GH¢1 billion for youth employment and apprenticeship programmes. Revenue from the Communications Service Tax accruing to these initiatives will also no longer be subject to the existing cap.
The Finance Minister explained that the reform would provide more resources to empower young Ghanaians with skills and connect them to employment opportunities.
GH¢1 Billion Allocated for National Service Allowances
National Service Personnel are also expected to benefit from the government’s 2027 expenditure plans, with GH¢1 billion allocated specifically for the payment of their allowances.
The allocation is part of the GH¢3.5 billion earmarked for the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment and reflects the government’s provision for meeting its financial obligations to personnel undertaking national service.
National Service remains an important transition between academic training and the world of work, providing graduates with opportunities to gain practical experience in public and private institutions.
However, while the budget provides GH¢1 billion for allowance payments, it does not specify a new monthly allowance rate or announce an increase in the amount received by individual personnel. The allocation therefore represents funding for allowance payments rather than confirmation of an upward adjustment.
NEIP and National Youth Authority Receive Funding
Beyond employment programmes and National Service allowances, the budget provides additional resources for institutions supporting youth entrepreneurship and development.
The National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) has been allocated GH¢170 million to support the government’s entrepreneurship agenda, while the National Youth Authority will receive GH¢200 million.
The allocations bring the total funding for the four specified areas under the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment to GH¢3.37 billion, within the ministry’s overall GH¢3.5 billion allocation.
The government has also earmarked GH¢156 million for the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment to support employment and labour administration.These provisions are intended to complement the broader youth employment agenda by supporting entrepreneurship, institutional development and access to opportunities beyond conventional employment.
Government Targets Unemployment Below 8 Per Cent by 2030
The youth employment allocations form part of the government’s wider New Economy programme, a four-year initiative running from 2027 to 2030, backed by a planned US$10 billion investment.
The programme focuses on eight areas, including commercial agriculture, energy infrastructure, critical minerals, tourism and creative arts, textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals and technology. The government expects these sectors to expand production, encourage private investment and create employment opportunities across the country.
Under its medium-term economic targets, the government aims to reduce Ghana’s unemployment rate to below eight per cent by 2030, while pursuing real GDP growth of approximately eight per cent. The budget also identifies the private sector as the principal driver of investment, innovation, production and sustainable employment, with government support expected to create conditions for businesses to expand.
Ultimately, the impact of the GH¢3.5 billion youth development allocation will depend on how effectively the funds are deployed, the opportunities created and the number of young people who gain access to meaningful employment and skills development.
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