Youth Employment Agency to recruit 17,200 personnel in November

The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has announced plans to recruit 17,200 personnel in November 2026 to bolster its community teaching and skills training initiatives. Chief Executive Officer Malik Basintale confirmed the recruitment drive during a press briefing on October 21, 2026, outlining a dual-track strategy to reduce youth unemployment while supporting critical sectors. The initiative is structured to provide immediate support to the education system while equipping young Ghanaians with technical expertise for the private sector.

Under the first component of the drive, the YEA will recruit 6,000 community teaching assistants. To facilitate their placement, the agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ghana Education Service (GES) for a nationwide deployment by the end of November. These assistants will be primarily stationed in basic schools within underserved communities. Officials clarified that these recruits are intended to support existing educational infrastructure and will not replace professionally trained teachers already in the service.

The second component involves a skills training program for 11,200 beneficiaries, supported by a US$3.6 million budget and funding from the African Development Bank. This initiative covers six distinct training areas, including information technology and motorbike dispatch services, which will enroll 2,000 students. The program is designed to provide practical, marketable skills that align with current economic demands, offering participants a bridge to sustainable employment or entrepreneurship.

This upcoming recruitment follows a period of significant growth for the agency. As of September 30, 2026, the YEA has supported 100,628 beneficiaries, representing 75.7% of its annual target. By expanding its programs to include both classroom support and technical vocational training, the YEA aims to meet its full mandate for the year and contribute to long-term national development through enhanced human capital.