YEA Raises Beneficiary Allowances by 60%, Pursues Long-Term Jobs

The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has increased monthly allowances for its beneficiaries from GH¢500 to GH¢800 and secured agreements with security agencies to absorb at least 60 per cent of participants after their two-year engagement.

The measures form part of efforts to improve beneficiary welfare and make youth employment programmes a pathway to more lasting job opportunities.

The Chief Executive Officer of the YEA, Malik Basintale, announced this during the Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House in Accra on Wednesday.

He said the Agency recognised that employment interventions must go beyond recruitment to address the welfare of beneficiaries and improve their chances of securing long-term work.

According to him, the 60 per cent increase in monthly allowances was intended to provide better support to young people engaged in the Agency’s programmes.

Mr. Basintale said the retention agreements with security agencies were also designed to address concerns about the future of beneficiaries when their engagement periods ended.

He explained that the Agency was working towards a system in which temporary employment and practical training would serve as a bridge to lasting careers.

As of September 30, 2026, the YEA had recruited 100,628 beneficiaries against an annual target of 133,000, representing 75.7 per cent achievement. Recruitment had also increased by more than 566 per cent since he assumed office in February 2025.

The Agency is pursuing other initiatives to improve access to work, including JobConnectz, a digital platform intended to link skilled young people with individuals and businesses requiring their services.

It has also recruited more than 1,000 beneficiaries for employment opportunities abroad under its Labour Exchange Programme, which seeks to facilitate access to overseas jobs through lawful employment arrangements.

The Northshore Garment Project, implemented in partnership with Northshore Apparel Ghana Limited, has trained 1,000 young people, particularly women, for industrial garment production.

He said all 1,000 beneficiaries had subsequently been employed, with plans to recruit another 1,000 next years.

Despite the progress, he said funding constraints remained a challenge. The Agency is seeking a review of the capping of Communication Service Tax revenue and renewed consideration of its statutory allocation from the District Assemblies Common Fund.

Mr. Basintale said the YEA would continue to strengthen its programmes to improve beneficiary welfare, build practical skills and create more sustainable employment opportunities for young Ghanaians.

Grace Acheampong, ISD.