N/R: Over 5,000 youth to benefit from Apprenticeship Programme – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to roll out a pilot phase of his flagship 24-hour economy initiative in the Northern Region, with a focus on youth training and job creation.

The President made the announcement during a courtesy call on the Overlord of Dagbon, His Royal Majesty Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II, at the Jubilee House on Friday, June 13, 2025.

According to President Mahama, the initiative will see more than 5,000 young people in the Northern Region receive technical and vocational training through the National Apprenticeship Programme, recently launched in Tamale.

The 24-hour economy is one of the key pillars of President Mahama’s vision for economic transformation, designed to tackle unemployment and increase productivity by encouraging round-the-clock economic activity in strategic sectors.

He added that the programme is being implemented in collaboration with vocational institutions and private sector partners across the country.

The training and job placement efforts, Mahama explained, will feed into the broader 24-hour economy strategy, which aims to extend business operations, stimulate economic activity.

It also aims to generate jobs across key sectors such as agro-processing, logistics, manufacturing, and community services.

He said, “Your Majesty, I launched the National Apprenticeship Program in Tamale. Youth development is at the heart of our national rebirth, and the 2025 budget has provided adequate funding for the takeoff of the National Apprenticeship Program, which is being rolled out in partnership with our vocational institutions and the private sector across the country.”

“Over 5,000 youths from the northern region are expected to be trained in employable skills such as carpentry, welding, tailoring, share batter processing, and agribusiness. These efforts align with our broader vision of the 24-hour economy strategy, which will provide new job opportunities and extended business hours across agro-processing, logistics, and community services. I look forward to launching a pilot 24-hour economic zone in the northern region.”