In a major move to tackle youth unemployment and boost community safety, the Ghana Police Service and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) have signed an agreement to recruit and train 12,000 young Ghanaians as Community Police Assistants.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on May 19, 2025, in the presence of the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, who praised the initiative as a “practical way to improve public safety while offering employment to young Ghanaians.”
The programme, targeting individuals aged 18 to 35, will see recruits trained in basic policing duties, including community engagement and intelligence gathering, before being posted to their home communities to support local law enforcement efforts.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Interior Minister highlighted how the initiative addresses two critical national issues: high youth unemployment and a shortage of police personnel, particularly in underserved areas.
“This is a practical way to improve public safety while offering employment to young Ghanaians,” he said.
CEO of the YEA, Malik Basintale, stressed the global nature of youth unemployment and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to creating real opportunities for Ghana’s youth.
“Globally, 1.8 billion young people are jobless. My daily task is to create opportunities for the youth of Ghana, these 12,000 positions are in line with the President’s plans for a 24-hour economy and will directly impact lives.” Basintale said.
Recruits will serve for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of permanent integration into the Ghana Police Service based on performance and availability of positions.
Basintale added that the community assistants will serve as an essential support system for the police force.
“Our police service lacks enough personnel. These community assistants will rely on their knowledge of the areas they live in to support regular officers, helping to improve security without overstretching the existing staff.”
With youth unemployment in Ghana hitting 32.8% among 15–24-year-olds in 2023, the programme is expected to make a significant social and economic impact. Beyond job creation, it aims to deter young people from crime and drug abuse by engaging them in meaningful work.
“This will keep 12,000 young people engaged in productive work and away from criminal influences such as robbery and drug abuse,” Basintale emphasized.
The YEA also notes that the initiative will bring financial relief to thousands of households, offering hope and stability through steady income and skills development.
As Ghana continues its journey toward a more secure and economically inclusive society, this community policing initiative could become a model for future youth-focused public service programmes.
