35 Apprentices and Master Craftspersons Receive Tools Under National Apprenticeship Programme as NYA Strengthens Skills Development

The National Youth Authority (NYA), in collaboration with the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa (AOB) District Assembly, has successfully organised a Presentation of Tools to Apprentices and Master Craftspersons under the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP), marking a significant step toward youth skills development and job creation in the district.

The initiative forms part of government’s broader agenda to empower young people with practical, employable skills while promoting the dignity of labour and sustainable livelihoods.

In her address, the District Chief Executive, Madam Olivia Bentil, underscored the importance of vocational training as a catalyst for long-term economic growth. She noted that the tools presented were not merely equipment, but a strategic investment in the future of young people across the district.

“The tools presented today are not just equipment; they are an investment in the future of our young people,” she said.

“Through the National Apprenticeship Programme, we are equipping our youth with practical skills to create jobs and secure sustainable livelihoods.”

She further reaffirmed the District Assembly’s commitment to supporting apprentices and expanding opportunities that lead to sustainable employment, stressing that skills development remains a top priority in the district’s youth empowerment agenda.

Under the first phase of the programme, 35 apprentices received essential tools to enable them to effectively learn and practise their respective trades. Beneficiaries were reminded to use the tools responsibly and strictly for their intended purposes, as they represent a foundation for their future livelihoods.

Speaking on behalf of the National Apprenticeship Programme, Ebenezer Abeiku Essien, Central Regional Coordinator, linked the intervention to the President’s Resetting, Rebuilding and Restoring Ghana Agenda, describing the programme as a practical demonstration of policy translating into action.

“This programme reflects a renewed commitment to resetting our approach to youth development by prioritising skills, dignity of labour, and opportunity,” he stated.

“By equipping apprentices and master craftspersons today, we are rebuilding Ghana’s workforce from the grassroots and restoring hope to our youth.”

He added that empowering young people with hands-on skills is essential to rebuilding productivity, strengthening communities, and restoring public confidence in government-led youth programmes.

Also addressing participants, Bright Opare Darko, District Director of the National Youth Authority (AOB), highlighted the impact of the programme at the local level, noting that sustainable national development begins with targeted district-level interventions.

“Today’s success is evidence that rebuilding Ghana starts at the district level by investing directly in the skills and futures of our youth,” he said.

“When we equip our youth with tools and skills, we reset their pathway from dependency to productivity.”

He emphasised that the programme reflects a collective commitment to restoring belief in public interventions and rebuilding opportunities that strengthen local economies.

The National Apprenticeship Programme continues to play a critical role in equipping Ghanaian youth with relevant skills, fostering self-reliance and supporting inclusive economic growth one apprentice at a time.