FOSDA Urges Government to Assess National Apprenticeship Programme’s Economic Impact for Sustainability

FOSDA Urges Government to Assess National Apprenticeship Programme’s Economic Impact for Sustainability

The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) has called on the Ghanaian government to evaluate the real economic contribution of the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP) to ensure its long-term viability. The recommendation was made during a Young People’s Forum organized by Africa Education Watch on May 20, 2025, at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI).

The forum, attended by representatives from the National Youth Authority (NYA), independent skills training experts, youth groups, master craftspersons, apprentices, and civil society organizations, sought to shape the NAP’s design to make it more youth-responsive, accountable, and aligned with green economy principles.

FOSDA’s call comes amid lingering debates over the effectiveness and sustainability of past initiatives like the Local Enterprises and Skills Development Programme (LESDEP) and the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO). With the government allocating GH₵300 million to the newly launched NAP in March 2025, FOSDA emphasized the need for measurable outcomes to justify potential future budget increases.

Mr. Solomon Okai, FOSDA’s Ag. Programmes Officer, highlighted that the forum aligns with the Ghana Youth Manifesto’s third key demand—youth participation in decision-making—and supports the UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security by amplifying young voices in policy discussions.

FOSDA further recommended depoliticizing beneficiary selection by involving independent assessors and urged stronger collaboration between government, academia, and industry to align training with Fourth Industrial Revolution skills, including artificial intelligence, to reduce skills mismatch.

Story by Anita Frimpong