Accra: The National Youth Authority (NYA) has partnered with courier service SHAQEXPRESS to train 1,000 youth annually in electric bike courier and Okada services. The partnership, announced by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NYA, Osman Ayariga, is part of the Authority's broader mandate to equip the youth with practical, business-oriented skills that foster self-employment and entrepreneurship.

According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ayariga emphasized that the initiative will not only help reduce youth unemployment but also support Ghana's transition to cleaner energy by promoting the use of electric bikes. This move aims to reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels, which are a key contributor to climate change.

"We signed an MOU with SHAQEXPRESS to train 1,000 youth in various business modules around the electric bike annually. This will enable young people to acquire electric bikes and create businesses around them," Ayariga stated.

He noted that the programme aligns with the vision of President John Dramani Mahama to legalize and regulate the Okada industry, offering a structured and safer alternative for thousands of youths engaged in informal transportation.

The NYA says it is open to further collaborations with private companies and organizations interested in youth empowerment and skills development.