The Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment (MYDE) has handed over sixteen (16) pickup vehicles to the National Youth Authority (NYA) to enhance the effective implementation of the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP) across the country.
At a brief ceremony, the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, said the vehicles are intended to support National Apprenticeship Coordinators in all sixteen regions to effectively supervise master craft persons and apprentices under the programme.
According to the Minister, the availability of reliable transportation will significantly improve monitoring, coordination, and the timely achievement of the programme’s objectives.
He urged the coordinators to take good care of the vehicles to ensure their long-term use and sustained benefits to programme beneficiaries.
Opare Addo further disclosed that tracking devices have been installed in the vehicles to prevent misuse and ensure accountability.
He cautioned that the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority would be held responsible for supervising their use, stressing that management would be accountable for any misuse.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority, Osman Ayariga, Esq., revealed that the National Apprenticeship Programme is currently training about 14,000 beneficiaries nationwide, with plans to scale up to 100,000 trainees in line with the commitment of His Excellency the President.
He noted that successful programme implementation depends largely on adequate logistics and capital investment, describing the provision of the vehicles as both timely and necessary.
He added that the vehicles will facilitate the work of regional coordinators and support the mandate entrusted to the Authority by the President.
Mr. Ayariga emphasized that the National Apprenticeship Programme goes beyond skills acquisition, describing it as a key driver of industrialisation and a strategic initiative aimed at positioning Ghana as a global hub for skills development.
Speaking on behalf of the Regional Coordinators, the Volta Regional Coordinator for NAP, Mr. Johnson Korbla Samlafo, expressed appreciation to MYDE and NYA for the vehicles.
He said the availability of logistics and equipment would significantly improve operational efficiency and strengthen the delivery of practical, hands-on skills training to apprentices across the country.
