Sinapi Aba Trust is confident of receiving additional funding support from partners to expand its Youth Apprenticeship Programme (YAP), as a sustainable solution to mass youth unemployment in Ghana. Through financial support from Opportunity International network, the scheme provides employable and entrepreneurial skills development to the youth. Beneficiaries are equipped with training, tools and start-up capital for their income earning opportunities. Over 1,800 young persons from seven regions have benefitted from the programme since inception in 2003, said Thomas Appiah-Mensah, Youth Development Manager for the Programme. “Some of those who have graduated already have accessed the start-up capital and they’re now on their own; and the loan is very flexible, we give them a grace period of three months and they use eight months for repayment…on a whole, we have succeeded in creating this income earning opportunity for vulnerable youth in Ghana”, he said. Apprentice under the program enroll in a three year project to acquire vocational skills in various marketable trades, including dressmaking, hairdressing, carpentry, wielding, plumbing, ICT, auto spraying and cookery. The program is also designed to respond to the sexual and reproductive health needs of young persons, especially HIV/AIDS education and prevention. The Programme would be expanded to all regions of the country, Mr. Appiah-Mensah told Luv Biz Report at the 13th graduation ceremony for some beneficiaries in Kumasi. He believes additional support from government would help reach out to more employed youth.