The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has announced the successful launch of its Business and Employment Assistance Programme (BEAP) with an initial cohort of 1,452 businesses.
This marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to stimulate economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
BEAP, an ambitious initiative targeting 10,000 Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and startups hit hardest by the pandemic, began its rollout by enrolling 1,452 businesses in its first phase. This foundational phase sets the stage for further expansions, with additional businesses slated to join the programme each month.
As part of the initiative’s sustainability efforts, BEAP has initiated payments to the first 1,500 beneficiaries who have been verified under the program. These individuals, now strategically positioned within various sectors such as local eateries, pharmacies, and educational institutions, are receiving crucial salary support amidst ongoing economic challenges.
The commencement of payments to these initial 1,500 beneficiaries, according to YEA, represents a major turningpoint in its mission to reduce unemployment and support struggling enterprises. Each recruited employee receives GH₡ 500, supplemented by additional contributions from their employers, aiming to alleviate the financial strains identified in a recent survey conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service.
BEAP not only acts as a vital support system for SMEs but also strives to enhance employment opportunities across Ghana. The programme targets a total of 20,000 beneficiaries as part of its broader initiative to bolster the national workforce and economy.
The YEA said it remains steadfast in its commitment to leveraging sustainable funding sources, notably the Communication Service Tax, dedicated exclusively to job creation and economic empowerment initiatives. This approach ensures the longevity and impact of BEAP and similar programs.
In addition to BEAP, the YEA has played a pivotal role in various employment and skills training programs. By collaborating closely with state agencies, the YEA enhances community services, healthcare, and vocational training opportunities, further contributing to Ghana’s socio-economic development.
By targeting diverse establishments such as chop bars, pharmacies, and schools, BEAP aims to alleviate the financial burden on these enterprises while significantly boosting employment opportunities. The overarching goal of supporting 10,000 companies and facilitating employment for approximately 20,000 individuals underscores the programme’s extensive reach and impact.
According to the YEA, Iin 2022/2023, they recruited: 15,000 Community Protection Assistants working with the Ghana Police Service; 6,000 Community Health Workers working with the Ghana Health Service; 1,500 Prison Office Assistants working with the Ghana Prisons Service and 4,000 workers on the Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme.
Also, it recruited 5,000 Insurance Agents for the National Insurance Commission (NIC) with base pay; provided 13,000 direct jobs secured through the YEA Job Centre; recruited 2,000 dressmaking trainees undergoing apprenticeship training with GH₡500 monthly support; facilitated the training of over 30,000 entrepreneurs by both the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) and the Ghana Library Board with support for set-ups, as well as 2,000 young people trained by the Accra Digital Centre in Basic and Advanced IT skills.
Currently, YEA says it is recruiting another 20,000 young people to be trained and set up in 10 different trade areas being – carpentry, masonry, plumbing, hairdressing, beauty care, auto works, General Electricals, Plaster of Paris (POP), Steel Works, Welding and Fabrication and Painting.
All arrangements have been made for training to start next week. This targets 45,000 Sanitation Module beneficiaries, and financial support to over 500 dress makers and 40 large garment companies.
The Agency maintains that it initiatives impacted various sectors, including community services, health, entrepreneurship, and vocational training, experienced substantial growth, offering a beacon of hope for Ghanaian youth seeking stable employment and entrepreneurial ventures.
