Ghana to train 15,000 youth annually under Skills for Jobs Initiative Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjar...
Ghana to train 15,000 youth annually under Skills for Jobs Initiative
Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare,
Government has launched the Ghana Skills for Jobs Initiative, a major youth employment programme that will train at least 15,000 young people every year to provide skilled labour for the country’s growing industries.
The initiative was unveiled by the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare,at the National Economic Zones Policy Roundtable in Accra on Thursday.
The Minister explained that the Skills for Jobs Initiative is designed to supply a steady pool of qualified workers for factories, logistics hubs, and other enterprises expected to operate within Ghana’s forthcoming Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
“Across the world, Special Economic Zones have proven to be effective tools of transformation. Ghana must adapt these lessons to our own context. By investing in skills, we are ensuring our young people become the backbone of our industrialisation agenda,” she said.
The minister further disclosed that her Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, is preparing a Cabinet Memorandum to secure approval for an investor-friendly SEZ framework. The roadmap is expected to address persistent challenges in Ghana’s manufacturing sector such as high production costs, limited access to finance, and low technology adoption.
She also announced that key policies for textiles and garments, automotive components, and pharmaceuticals are being finalised for Cabinet consideration, while the ongoing review of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act is expected to modernise the country’s investment regime.
The Skills for Jobs Initiative, she emphasised, forms part of government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy Programme, which seeks to expand employment opportunities by enabling factories and logistics hubs to operate continuously.
The event attracted ambassadors, development partners, high commissioners, and industry leaders.
EU Deputy Ambassador, H.E. Jones Claes, commended Ghana’s democratic credentials and economic transformation agenda, noting that the EU has committed over €1 billion (GH₵16–17 billion) under its Team Europe initiative between 2021 and 2027 to support projects in energy infrastructure, vaccine production, and smart cities.
Dr. Dirk Aßmann, GIZ Country Director, also marked 50 years of Ghana–GIZ partnership and pledged continued support for Ghana’s industrial transformation. He highlighted successes in sustainable energy, governance, and skills development as evidence of a strong foundation for the new SEZ roadmap.
The Minister called on investors, industry leaders, and partners to take advantage of the government’s new framework, stressing that modern, world-class SEZs will position Ghana as a leading manufacturing hub in West Africa.
“This is a call to action. We invite the private sector and our partners to join us in building a future where Ghanaian youth are skilled, industries are globally competitive, and our 24-hour economy thrives,” Madam Ofosu-Adjare stated
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