The National Apprenticeship Programme has pledged to support graduates of Ask Media Training School with tools to establish their own businesses, urging them to turn their practical skills into sustainable livelihoods.
National Deputy Coordinator of the programme, Fouad Agbenyadzi, says graduates could approach the National Youth Authority, where the programme operates, to explore available support.
The ceremony was held under the theme, “Empowering Creative Features through Practical Excellence,” highlighting the importance of practical training, entrepreneurship and skills development in preparing young people for the world of work.
Speaking at the Institute’s 2026 graduation ceremony at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), he said the initiative was committed to helping young people apply their skills to business development.
“What we can also do to support them is to support them with the needed tools that will assist them to do their business,” he said.
Mr Agbenyadzi explained that the programme connects aspiring apprentices with Master Craft Persons and pays their training fees to equip them with practical skills.
He added that the support extended to different trades, including media and videography, as part of efforts to improve youth employment.
“As far as practical training, media, videography, whatever, as far as it’s a trade that you have gone through, we will assist them,” he noted.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ask Media Training Institute, Amankwaa Agyeman, challenged the graduates to become job creators rather than depend solely on government employment.
“We cannot all wait for government jobs. We must become job creators, problem solvers, and innovators,” he said.
He disclosed that the institute has trained more than 6,545 media professionals.
Mr Agyeman also recounted the challenges of building the institution, including two fires that destroyed investments within three years and the need to relocate after more than a decade at its former premises.
“You can lose buildings without losing your vision, encouraging the graduates to remain determined despite setbacks,” he added.
Drawing on these experiences, he officially launched his book, ‘Entrepreneurship Is Crazy, but it’s the Best Decision’, which explores the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.
“Entrepreneurship is exciting. Entrepreneurship is rewarding. But let me be honest with you, entrepreneurship is also crazy,” he indicated.
He urged the graduates to start small, apply their skills, and remain committed to continuous learning.
One of the graduates, Asumadu Benjamin Willberforce, who trained in sports presentation, expressed excitement about completing the programme and optimism about his future in the media industry.
“I am very excited for graduating today. Not everybody would have got this opportunity to be a graduate,” he noted.
He acknowledged that developing his presentation skills had been challenging but said consistency and determination had helped him improve.
Mr Willberforce also urged graduates to take the initiative in seeking employment rather than wait for opportunities to come to them.
“You don’t need to sit down for someone to call you that there has been a job opportunity. You need to go through by yourself,” he added.