The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and the Ghana Police Service have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to recruit 12,000 young individuals across the country to serve as Community Police Assistants (CPAs).The initiative forms part of YEA's broader strategy to provide sustainable job opportunities to Ghanaian youth across the country, concurrently supporting the police service in delivering effective security services at the grassroots level.Speaking at the signing ceremony on Monday, May 19, at the Ministry of Interior, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YEA, Malik Basintale, noted that the government's priority is not solely about creating job opportunities but "involving our youth in building safer communities.""We are here today because we have found some 12,000 jobs within the Ghana Police Service. Every day and anytime I wake up, the first thing that comes to mind is where I can find jobs for young people out there." His Excellency the President is always willing to hear the number of jobs that have been found and delivered to young people. Today, we have found 12,000 more jobs for young people out there, and we are ready to exhibit in the coming days," he added.

The Ghana Police, on the other hand, has pledged to fulfill its part of the bargain, emphasizing its commitment to foster a sense of shared responsibility as well as promoting peace and order in both urban and rural areas. High-profile dignitaries who were present at the ceremony included the Minister of Interior, Hon Muntaka Mohammed, the Inspector General of the Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare-Addo.

This is not the first initiative being taken by YEA; in April this year, the Agency entered a one-year agreement with SoccaBet Ghana to create 500 job placements.Also, the Agency, in partnership with the Ghana Fire Service, will recruit 5,000 young Ghanaians as Fire Assistants across the country.Unemployment in Ghana has been on the rise despite numerous government interventions.A report from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) reports that youth unemployment rose to 14.7 percent in the first three quarters of 2023.But according to a UK-based firm, Fitch Solutions, “Over 2024, we forecast unemployment to hold at 4.0%, and if accompanied by easing inflation, will see a rise in real wages for many households”.The YEA's initiative is expected to grant young Ghanaian skilled workers and graduates who have been left without job opportunities.