The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has emphasised that the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP) is designed to equip young people with practical skills that will enable them to create their own jobs.

According to him, the initiative reflects government’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment through sustainable and skills-based interventions.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series held at the Jubilee House on Monday, August 4, Mr Opare Addo noted that self-employment remains a critical pathway to economic empowerment for Ghanaian youth.

“The NAP is not just about training; it is about preparing our young people to become job creators, not job seekers,” he stated.

He explained that the programme targets thousands of young men and women across the country, offering them hands-on training in various trades such as tailoring, welding, cosmetology, carpentry, and ICT.

“We are partnering with experienced artisans and vocational institutions to ensure the quality of training meets both national and global standards,” he said.

Mr Opare Addo further assured the public that the Ministry will monitor the progress of beneficiaries and provide support for business start-ups.

“We are not leaving them after the training. There will be tools, start-up kits, and mentorship to help them establish and grow their businesses. This is how we build a resilient, youth-driven economy,” he added