Ghana has formalised a strategic partnership with the INSTED Foundation through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement an ambitious youth skills development programme known as the “Skills Farm.”

The agreement, led by the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, marks a significant step in expanding employment opportunities and equipping young people with practical, job-ready skills.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to creating pathways for young people to realise their full potential.

“Ghanaians are eager to work and committed to developing themselves, but the conditions that allow them to fully express their ambitions are often absent,” he said. “This partnership is designed to create those opportunities and provide the needed foundation for young people to succeed.”

He explained that the MoU builds on prior engagements between the Ministry and the Foundation and sets the stage for the implementation of the Skills Farm concept, which is designed to deliver accelerated skills training within a short period.

“The Skills Farm initiative will enable individuals to acquire employable skills within months and transition into the world of work. It is an attractive intervention that aligns with our mandate to promote job creation,” the Minister added.

A representative of the Foundation, Mr. Adu Boahin, highlighted the urgency of addressing youth unemployment across the continent and the role of innovative training models.

“Africa has one of the fastest-growing youth populations, and this calls for bold and scalable solutions,” he said. “Through the Skills Farm, we are looking to train between 5,000 and 6,000 young people in the initial phase, with plans to scale up to between 20,000 and 25,000 annually.”

The programme will focus on equipping participants with practical skills across multiple tracks within an estimated nine-month training cycle, targeting individuals with basic education and preparing them for immediate employment.

The signing of the MoU is expected to pave the way for subsequent implementation and funding arrangements, as both parties work together to scale up skills development and improve employment outcomes across the country.