channel247 online
The National Coordinator for the National Apprenticeship Program, Nicodemus Dery, says the overwhelming response from young Ghanaians to the government’s skills training initiative reflects a deep hunger for opportunities among the youth.
Speaking to channel247online.com, Mr. Dery revealed that while the pilot phase of the program is targeting 10,000 beneficiaries as announced, applications have already exceeded 100,000—more than ten times the intended number.
“So far, so very good,” he said. “The biggest challenge we have is that there’s overwhelming expectation from the young people of this country, and that expectation is translated into the numbers we are seeing in the applications.”
He emphasized the need for collaboration with industry players, donor partners, and multilateral agencies to expand the program and meet the growing demand.
According to Mr. Dery, skills development is crucial to Ghana’s economic future, particularly as the formal sector struggles to absorb graduates and school dropouts annually.
“The dress you are wearing is produced by an artisan. What I’m wearing is done by an artisan. The food we eat, the farmers that produce them — some didn’t go through formal education. Skill development is the way to go,” he noted.
He stressed that Ghana’s economic engine is being powered significantly by the informal sector, and equipping young people with practical skills is key to sustainable national development.
Source:channel247online.com/Masopeh Jeremiah
Yaw Boagyan
Rafiq Adam
