The CEO National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Abdulai Ayariga, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to preparing young Ghanaians for the future through the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP).

Speaking at the 2025 World Youth Skills Day Dialogue in Accra, Mr. Ayariga said the programme goes beyond providing technical skills to fostering entrepreneurship among the youth.

“The National Apprenticeship Programme is designed not just to provide skills, but also to ignite a spirit of entrepreneurship among our young people,” he stated.

This year’s event, themed “Youth Empowerment through AI & Digitalisation: The Role of Technology in Hands-On Skills for the Future Workforce”, brought together development partners, youth advocates, and policymakers to explore how technology is transforming skills development.

Mr. Ayariga noted that the NYA’s approach to empowerment is rooted in transformation rather than traditional training.

He highlighted the urgent need to equip young people with the skills demanded by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including digital fluency, technical expertise, adaptability, and creativity.

“The future of work will not wait,” he warned. “Our youth must not just be consumers of technology, but creators, innovators, and problem-solvers.”

He pointed to NYA’s collaboration with agencies such as GTVET, CTVET, and international partners to expand access to digital knowledge, promote innovation, and create opportunities for young people to thrive in a technology-driven economy.

Calling for stronger collaboration across sectors, Mr. Ayariga urged government, private industry, academia, development partners, and youth groups to work together to drive national progress.

“To every young person listening—you are not the future, you are the present,” he said. “Your hands, your ideas, your resilience, and your curiosity are what will shape Ghana’s transformation.”

The event concluded with a renewed commitment by all stakeholders to support inclusive, technology-driven, and entrepreneurship-centred youth development initiatives.