The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has joined forces with the Fisheries Commission and Ghana’s 66 Artillery Regiment to launch a youth training initiative aimed at promoting fish farming and aquaculture skills.
The partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), seeks to equip young Ghanaians with vital skills in fish farming, supporting economic growth and job creation.
During the signing ceremony, YEA CEO Kofi Baah Agyepong emphasized the agency’s commitment to addressing unemployment through skill development and innovative solutions.
“This MoU reflects our joint effort to create jobs in a fast-growing market,” Agyepong said. “The YEA’s core mission is to generate employment, and we are achieving this across various sectors.”
The initiative will fund the training of 1,000 youth in its first phase, with each participant receiving a monthly stipend of GH¢500 to cover living expenses.
Agyepong also noted that the YEA has already trained over 10,000 youth in technical fields such as plumbing, tiling, auto mechanics, and IT, with another 10,000 currently enrolled in similar programs.
“This initiative is about building skills and entrepreneurship across Ghana,” he added.
The Fisheries Commission’s representative linked the training program to its “Aquaculture for Food and Jobs” initiative, which aims to increase fish production and generate employment for youth and women.
“Our goal is to boost fish production and create jobs, and this collaboration with YEA is key to achieving that,” the representative stated.
Lt. Colonel Jalali Din Ibrahim of the 66 Artillery Regiment expressed the military’s enthusiasm for the partnership, pledging their support to ensure the program’s success.
“We are excited to partner on this project and will do everything we can to ensure it reaches its full potential,” Lt. Col. Ibrahim remarked.
This fish farming initiative is part of the YEA’s broader strategy to combat youth unemployment by developing practical skills. With the local fish farming sector poised for growth, YEA sees it as a prime opportunity for job creation.
In addition to providing immediate employment opportunities, the project aims to promote long-term sustainability and contribute to the country’s growing demand for fish products.
A seven-member committee, including Lt. Col. Ibrahim, Lt. (Gen) Kojo Edem Agezo, Sub Lt. Sebastian Osabarima, Dr. Lawrence Armah Ahiah, Jenifer Viglo, and Fordjour, has been appointed to oversee the program’s activities.
