NYA and French Embassy Strengthen Partnership to Expand Youth Skills Development and Innovation
The National Youth Authority (NYA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Embassy of France in Ghana to expand opportunities for youth empowerment, skills development, innovation, and social inclusion.
The renewed commitment was announced following a courtesy visit by the Chief Executive Officer of the NYA, Osman Abdulai Ayariga Esq., to the French Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Diarra Dimé-Labille, at the French Embassy in Accra.
Strengthening Opportunities for Ghanaian Youth
During the meeting, Mr. Ayariga highlighted the longstanding relationship between Ghana and France, noting that both countries share a common goal of investing in young people as drivers of national development.
He emphasized that the NYA remains committed to building stronger institutional partnerships that create meaningful opportunities for young Ghanaians through skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and international collaboration.
National Apprenticeship Programme Highlighted
A key focus of the discussions was the Government of Ghana’s National Apprenticeship Programme, which aims to equip young people with practical, employable skills while improving their participation in the country’s economy.
Mr. Ayariga appealed to the Government of France to explore opportunities for collaboration in expanding technical training, promoting knowledge exchange, and supporting initiatives that prepare young people for an increasingly competitive global workforce.
He also disclosed that the programme has reserved between five and ten percent of beneficiary slots for persons with disabilities, reinforcing the government’s commitment to ensuring that every young Ghanaian has access to opportunities for personal and professional growth.
France Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Development
Responding to the NYA’s proposals, Ambassador Diarra Dimé-Labille reaffirmed France’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Ghana through sustainable collaboration focused on youth development, innovation, and education.
She explained that France’s engagement with Ghana is increasingly centred on strategic investment, youth mobility, innovation, and institutional partnerships that deliver long-term impact.
The Ambassador proposed regular engagements between the French Embassy and the National Youth Authority, including quarterly meetings, to strengthen cooperation and identify new opportunities that benefit young people.
Promoting Innovation and Inclusion
The Ambassador also highlighted France’s support for the Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development Initiative at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), implemented through the Responsible AI Lab. The initiative is helping develop locally driven artificial intelligence solutions to address challenges in agriculture, healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability while preparing young innovators for the digital economy.
She further stressed the importance of disability inclusion, expressing her desire to see more young persons with disabilities equipped with employable and entrepreneurial skills that enable them to participate fully in Ghana’s economic development.
Looking Ahead
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment by both institutions to deepen collaboration in areas including skills development, innovation, entrepreneurship, youth inclusion, and economic empowerment.
The NYA also extended an invitation to the French Ambassador to attend the National Youth Conference, scheduled for 10–13 August 2026, where young people from across the country will engage in dialogue on innovation, leadership, policy, and national development.
Why This Matters
Partnerships between government institutions and international development partners continue to play an important role in expanding opportunities for young people. By strengthening collaboration in skills development, innovation, and entrepreneurship, the NYA and the French Embassy aim to equip more Ghanaian youth with the tools needed to thrive in an evolving economy.
Source: National Youth Authority (NYA)
