BY Grace Zigah
In a major initiative aimed at tackling HIV/AIDS while creating employment opportunities, the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has partnered with the Ghana AIDS Commission to launch a nationwide awareness and prevention campaign targeting the youth.
The programme, which forms part of YEA’s expanded social intervention agenda, will employ hundreds of young people as peer educators and community health advocates.
At a brief ceremony in Accra, YEA Chief Executive Officer Malik Basintale and Ghana AIDS Commission Acting Director General Dr. Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize the collaboration.
Under the agreement, selected youth under the YEA will be trained and deployed across communities to educate their peers on HIV transmission, prevention, voluntary testing, and stigma reduction.
“This is not just about employment,” said Malik Basintale. “It’s about empowering young people to become agents of change in the fight against HIV/AIDS. At YEA, we believe youth should be at the centre of both economic development and public health education.”
The rollout comes at a time when Ghana is intensifying its response to the persistent threat of HIV, particularly among young people.
According to recent data from the Ghana AIDS Commission, youth aged 15 to 24 remain one of the most vulnerable groups in terms of new HIV infections.
Experts believe that misinformation, peer pressure, and stigma continue to hinder prevention efforts.
Dr. Akanbong, welcomed the partnership as a timely boost to national efforts to reach young people in creative, relatable ways.
“This collaboration allows us to decentralize HIV education and make it more youth-led,” he said.
“By employing young people to engage their peers, we are breaking down barriers and using a more culturally sensitive approach.”
Under the programme, beneficiaries will undergo rigorous training in HIV communication strategies, sexual and reproductive health, and community outreach techniques.
They will be stationed in schools, community centres, marketplaces, and youth hubs across all 16 regions of the country.
This joint initiative also supports Ghana’s commitment to the global 95-95-95 targets: ensuring that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
Beyond health education, the YEA says the programme forms part of its broader goal to create sustainable jobs through strategic partnerships. “We are transforming the YEA into a driver of social change,” Basintale added.
“Health, education, and empowerment must go hand in hand with employment.”
The initiative has already been applauded by health advocates and civil society groups, who say it represents a progressive model for tackling public health issues while addressing youth unemployment.
