5 hours Ago By Ghana News
By Eric K. Amoh Tamale, April 30, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama is expected to officially launch the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP) in Tamale, the capital of the Northern Region, on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. The NAP is a flagship initiative of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government aimed at tackling youth unemployment through technical and vocational skills development.
It forms a core part of the administration’s job creation and human capital development strategy. The programme, as outlined in the NDC’s 2024 manifesto, offers free training in various trades and crafts, leading to formal certification. Beneficiaries will be supported with start-up capital and equipment to establish their own businesses upon graduation.
A dedicated Business Growth Apprenticeship module will link TVET graduates with established industries for mentorship and enterprise development. The government also plans to introduce reforms to the TVET system by incorporating digital skills, soft skills, and entrepreneurial training. In support of the programme, the 2025 Budget Statement has allocated GH¢300 million, with a target to train and empower over 100,000 young people across the country.
The programme also includes the establishment of regional Centres of Excellence to provide hands-on training in simulated work environments. The launch in Tamale is expected to draw stakeholders from the education, industry, and youth sectors, and marks the beginning of nationwide implementation of the initiative. The Mahama-led administration has described the NAP as a critical pillar in its drive to create jobs and equip Ghana’s youth with employable skills for sustainable livelihoods.
On Monday, President Mahama launched one of the party’s flagship programmes, “Adwumawura” aimed at creating estimated 10,000 jobs annually for the youth and other people seeking jobs. The addition of the skills training to be launched on Wednesday gives credence to the President fulfilling some key party manifesto promises. GNA EA/GRB April 30, 2025 NPOL002 Politics Withdrawal Member Kennedy Agyepong withdraws from NPP national Thank You By Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Samuel Ofori Boateng, GNA Kumasi April 30, GNA – Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyepong, a leading member of the NPP, has with immediate effect, withdrawn from the ongoing national thank you tour of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
His decision follows a confrontation between some youth members of the NPP at Bantama in Kumasi, which resulted in the stabbing of a Level 300 students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and technology (KNUST), believed to be a supporter of Mr Agyepong. The incident was said to have occurred after the members of the Thank You tour, led by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the NPP in Ghana’s general elections in 2024, met some constituency members and youth groups at the premises of the Bantama Pentecost Church. The confrontation, according to eyewitnesses, stemmed from the sharing of money given to the participants for their transportation.
While sharing the money, a macho man attempted to snatch the money away and in the ensuing struggling, he fired several warning shots and one of the members was stabbed. The victim was rushed to the Suntreso Government Hospital but was later referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, for further treatment. Mr Agyepong visited the victim at the KATH and later went to the Sofoline Police Station to file an official complaint.
Mr Agyepong later at a press conference in Kumasi, said he was withdrawing from the ongoing tour because of the violent attack on one of his supporters. Meanwhile, Dr Bawumia and other members of the team is continuing the tour in some constituencies in the Ashanti region. On Tuesday April 29, 2025, the team met delegates from the Atwima Mponua, Nwabiagya, Kwanwoma and others in the Atwima enclave at Abuakwa, to thank them for their support during the 2024 general elections.
The team will today, Wednesday April 30, tour some constituencies in the Adansi enclave to thank the people for their support. GNA KOM/BM.
