The Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Ayariga, Esq., has called for a stronger national commitment towards skills development as a pathway to preparing Ghana’s youth for emerging opportunities in the global economy.
Speaking at the national commemoration of World Youth Skills Day 2026 under the theme “Skills for a Shared Future,” Mr. Ayariga said skills development remains critical to achieving inclusive growth, productivity, and sustainable development.
He noted that the world of work is undergoing rapid transformation due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, digitalisation, automation, and the transition towards green and circular economies, making it necessary for young people to acquire relevant skills that go beyond traditional qualifications.
“The world does not just need skilled hands. It needs skilled minds and capable human beings,” the NYA CEO stated, stressing the importance of digital literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and socio-emotional intelligence.
Mr. Ayariga explained that Ghana’s youthful population presents a major opportunity for economic transformation if properly equipped with the right competencies.
According to him, the mandate of the National Youth Authority under Act 939 is centred on youth empowerment through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship development, and civic engagement.
He said the NYA continues to implement programmes aligned with the National Youth Policy 2022–2032, which prioritises employability, enterprise development, digital inclusion, and lifelong learning.
“We are not merely implementing programmes. We are building a generation,” he said.
The NYA CEO highlighted government interventions, including the expansion of apprenticeship and competency-based training programmes, as important steps towards improving the transition from school to employment.
He, however, stressed that sustainable youth development requires stronger collaboration between government agencies, industry, training institutions, academia, and development partners.
“Industry must lead in curriculum co-design and work-based learning. Training institutions must adopt competency-based training and flexible delivery models. Together, we must close the skills mismatch and equip our youth for decent work,” he added.
Mr. Ayariga encouraged young Ghanaians to embrace continuous learning and view skills acquisition as a foundation for personal and national advancement.
“Your capacity is your capital. Do not be defined by job seeking alone. Be defined by problem-solving and value creation,” he advised.
He reaffirmed the NYA’s commitment to working with stakeholders to ensure Ghanaian youth become future-ready and globally competitive.
