YEA, Sports Ministry Partner to Expand Youth Jobs Through ‘Play Abroad’ Initiative

By Mavis Emefa Goka, June 25, 2025

The Youth Employment Agency (YEA), under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Malik Basintale, has partnered with the Ministry for Sports and Recreation to explore job creation opportunities for Ghanaian youth through sports.

The collaboration was cemented during a high-level meeting in Accra, where both parties discussed the rollout of the agency’s flagship “Play Abroad” initiative. The program is designed to create employment for young athletes and promote sports development both domestically and internationally.

Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Iddie Adams expressed strong support for the initiative, describing it as “a bold step toward addressing youth unemployment while enhancing Ghana’s sports sector.” He recommended the formation of a joint technical team to refine the project’s framework and ensure its smooth implementation.

Discussions also addressed concerns surrounding unregulated sports recruitment, particularly in football. Minister Adams emphasized the need to protect young athletes from exploitation and called for stronger school and grassroots sports systems to ensure ethical and safe international placements.

The meeting also explored the idea of establishing a Sports Free Zone in Ghana to nurture local talent and create a sustainable ecosystem for sports development. The proposal aims to retain promising athletes within the country and bolster Ghana’s position as a sports hub in the region.

The YEA noted that the “Play Abroad” initiative aligns with its statutory mandate under Act 887 of 2015, which empowers the agency to introduce innovative pathways to employment for young Ghanaians.