Accra: The Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment (MYDE) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) and the Design and Technology Institute (DTI) to expand skills development opportunities for young Ghanaians and address persistent youth unemployment and skills gaps.
According to Ghana Web, the partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which seeks to strengthen collaboration among government, faith-based organisations, and industry stakeholders to equip young people with employable skills and create pathways to economic opportunities. The agreement was signed on August 4, 2026, with the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, highlighting the initiative as a shared national commitment to invest in Ghana's youth.
Opare Addo elaborated on the Ministry's objective to coordinate a dynamic youth ecosystem, enabling every young Ghanaian to become healthy, skilled, innovative, and globally competitive. He emphasized that the Ministry's efforts go beyond isolated programmes, aiming to unify government institutions, faith-based organisations, academia, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to foster an environment conducive to youth development.
The minister pointed out the myriad challenges confronting young Ghanaians, including limited employment opportunities, inadequate access to information, skills mismatch, weak technology, and start-up support systems, as well as health concerns. He stressed that overcoming these issues necessitates robust partnerships with institutions possessing proven expertise in skills development and innovation.
Under the agreement, MYDE will provide policy leadership and coordinate implementation through national youth development platforms, while DTI will contribute its expertise in competency-based training, curriculum innovation, workforce development, and industry engagement. The collaboration is expected to expand opportunities in technical and vocational education, structured internships, entrepreneurship development, and digital skills training.
Rev Dr Cyril Fayose, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, described the partnership as a significant step towards shaping the future of Ghana through investment in young people. He noted that the agreement aligns with the global observance of World Population Day, emphasizing the importance of investing in the aspirations and potential of young people.
Rev Dr Fayose highlighted that over one-third of Ghana's population is composed of young people, presenting a major demographic opportunity. He warned that if not properly equipped with education, skills, values, and opportunities, this demographic advantage could become a source of unemployment, frustration, insecurity, and social instability.
Constance Elizabeth Swaniker, President of the Design and Technology Institute, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership and underscored the necessity for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to create opportunities for young people. She emphasized the importance of developing a workforce that is technically skilled and grounded in strong ethical values and professionalism, noting that employers are increasingly seeking young individuals who are "fit for purpose" and equipped with the right attitudes and work ethic to succeed in the workplace.