YEA, Sports Ministry collaborate on ‘Play Abroad’ initiative to boost youth employment

The Youth Employment Agency (YEA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, is set to launch the YEA ‘Play Abroad’ initiative—a programme aimed at creating job opportunities and promoting sports development both locally and internationally.

This announcement was made following a recent high-level meeting in Accra between YEA CEO, Malik Basintale and the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams.

The meeting centered on strategic approaches to enhance employment prospects for Ghanaian youth through sports, emphasizing the importance of a structured framework for effective implementation.

A key point of discussion was the implementation of Act 887 (2015), which provides the legal foundation for sports-based employment initiatives.

Minister Adams lauded the ‘Play Abroad’ initiative as a promising step forward and recommended the formation of a joint technical team to refine the programme's documentation, ensuring efficient and transparent execution at all levels.

He underscored the need to address ongoing challenges—particularly the issue of unregulated football job placements abroad—and advocated for a comprehensive strategy that strengthens school and grassroots sports systems in Ghana.

“These efforts are aimed at nurturing homegrown talent, promoting ethical recruitment practices, and ensuring the safe and legal migration of young sports professionals. Protecting their rights and aligning stakeholder interests must be a priority,” he stated.

Minister Adams also revealed that proposals for a Free Zone concept to support sports talent development are under consideration. This initiative is expected to provide a dedicated environment for training athletes, alongside government measures designed to retain talented players within the country.