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| CEO, Dr. George Kojo Owusu |
Ghana Youth Employment Agency unveils major youth medical response initiative
The Ghana Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has launched a transformative program in partnership with the Ghana National Ambulance Service, aimed at training 6,000 young people to serve as Community Medical First Responders (CMFRs) across the country.
Announced on July 18, 2025, this initiative marks a significant step in combining youth empowerment with national health priorities. The effort isn’t just about job creation; it’s a strategic investment in public health, emergency preparedness, and community resilience.
Ghana Youth Employment Agency partners with the National Ambulance Service
The collaboration brings together two powerful institutions: the Youth Employment Agency, known for tackling unemployment among Ghanaian youth, and the Ghana National Ambulance Service, which brings expertise in emergency response and pre-hospital care.
According to Malik Basintale, CEO of YEA, the partnership “blends skills development with life-saving service,” and reflects a long-term vision for sustainable community healthcare delivery.
Ghana Youth Employment Agency to train 6,000 youth nationwide
Under this initiative, 6,000 young Ghanaians will undergo intensive training to become certified Community Medical First Responders. These individuals will be trained to:
- Administer basic first aid and CPR
- Manage emergency scenes
- Assist in pre-hospital emergency procedures
- Educate local communities on public health awareness
The program will be delivered by certified instructors from the National Ambulance Service in collaboration with YEA, ensuring that trainees receive both technical and practical field experience.
Ghana Youth Employment Agency deploys responders to boost emergency care
Once trained, these youth will be strategically deployed to urban and rural areas nationwide. Their role is crucial: to provide immediate care during emergencies before professional ambulance services arrive.
By acting as first responders, these young workers are expected to significantly reduce emergency response times, especially in underserved or hard-to-reach communities. Their presence could mean the difference between life and death in time-critical situations like road accidents, cardiac arrests, or natural disasters.
Ghana Youth Employment Agency focuses on youth empowerment and job creation
At its core, the initiative is a youth empowerment strategy. It aligns with YEA’s mission to combat unemployment by offering young people meaningful, skill-based employment.
Beyond the medical training, the program fosters discipline, community engagement, and long-term career pathways in healthcare, public service, and safety sectors.
Participants will benefit from:
- A nationally recognized certification
- Ongoing skills upgrades and mentorship
- Opportunities for career advancement within emergency services or public health
Ghana Youth Employment Agency expands access in urban and rural areas
One of the standout features of the program is its nationwide reach. Instead of focusing solely on cities, the Ghana Youth Employment Agency and its partners are ensuring that rural and underserved regions are prioritized.
This strategic distribution reflects a broader push for health equity, recognizing that communities outside Accra or Kumasi often lack timely access to emergency care.
By placing trained youth directly in these communities, the initiative ensures that everyone, regardless of location, has a better shot at receiving lifesaving care.
Ghana Youth Employment Agency aligns with national health and safety goals
This move by the Ghana Youth Employment Agency is also in line with Ghana’s broader health infrastructure goals, which include building resilience at the community level and preparing the nation for public health emergencies.
The CMFRs will act as both medical support and public educators, helping communities stay safe, informed, and ready for crisis situations. From accident scenes to pandemics, their presence can play a critical role.
Final thoughts: Ghana Youth Employment Agency sets new standard for youth engagement
With this ambitious rollout, the Ghana Youth Employment Agency is demonstrating how youth employment programs can serve dual purposes: solving labor challenges while addressing pressing national needs.
The partnership with the National Ambulance Service could become a model for other countries seeking to bridge the gap between youth opportunity and public service.
