Effectiveness of Youth Employment Programmes in Ghana: A Case Study of Youth Employment Agency (YEA)

Abstract

This study sought to examine the role of Youth Employment Agency in combating unemployment in Ghana by examining the effectiveness of the programmes introduced and the challenges of the agency in carrying out its mandate. A qualitative design and a case study approach were employed to undertake the study. A semi-structured interview technique was used to collect data. The sample size for the study was eighteen (18) comprising three (3) Directors and fifteen (15) beneficiaries of the YEA employment programme. The findings of the study indicate that YEA has made effort in addressing unemployment in Ghana by providing temporal employment for the youth for a period of two years. It was also found that the programme provides economic benefits, and an opportunity for beneficiaries to acquire new skills, knowledge and experience. However, a number of challenges were found to hamper the effectiveness of the YEA programmes which includes insufficient funds and delay in the release of statutory funds. Challenges for the beneficiaries included inadequate resources and logistics to work with such as proper uniforms, delay in the payment of their allowances and heavy workload. The study concludes that with a more effective exit plan for the beneficiaries, prompt release of statutory funds, and the provision of adequate resources and logistics for the beneficiaries, the role of YEA in tackling unemployment in Ghana can be greatly enhanced.