By Daniel Donkor
A new beacon of opportunity has been lit in the Ahafo Region as the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), through GIZ, have officially handed over a state-of-the-art Public Employment Centre (PEC) to the Labour Department in Goaso, the regional capital.
The Goaso facility, constructed under the Jobs, Migration and Development (JMD) Project, is the third of its kind to be delivered to the Labour Department after similar centres in Berekum and Techiman in 2024. Funded by the EU and the German Development Cooperation, the centre aims to strengthen Ghana’s labour market systems by enhancing access to career counselling, skills training, and employment opportunities for youth and jobseekers.
The colourful handing-over ceremony brought together officials from the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, the Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council, and the Goaso Traditional Council, among other key stakeholders.
“A new vision for employment services”
Speaking at the event, Mr. Andreas Berding, Head of the Ghanaian-European Centre for Jobs, Migration and Development (GEC), described the launch of the Goaso PEC as a bold step toward transforming Ghana’s employment landscape.
“The launch of this Public Employment Centre represents not just a building, but a new vision for how employment services are delivered across the country,” Mr. Berding said. “Here in Goaso, jobseekers will not only receive career guidance and skills development support but also gain access to credible information on lawful and safe pathways to employment both locally and abroad. This centre will help ensure that no one is left behind as the world of work continues to evolve.”
He added that GIZ has equipped labour officers across the project’s five beneficiary regions with modern competencies in IT, digital literacy, career and vocational guidance, and migration advisory services, ensuring efficient and modernized service delivery.
Local impact and new initiatives
The Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Dawuda Ibrahim Braimah, lauded the EU and GIZ for their continuous support in promoting decent work and reducing unemployment. He announced the introduction of a new initiative, the “Daakye Youth Development Project,” under the Labour Department.
“Through this project, we will provide short-term skills training and start-up kits for at least 200 young people in the Ahafo, Bono, and Bono East regions, with plans to extend to Asante and Greater Accra,” Mr. Braimah revealed.
Strengthening regional growth
In his remarks, Mr. Joseph Frimpong Naayo, Ahafo Regional Coordinating Director, commended the partnership between the Government of Ghana, the EU, and GIZ, describing it as a timely intervention for the region’s economic growth.
“This centre will go a long way in addressing youth unemployment in the Ahafo Region,” he said. “By equipping our young people with the right skills and connecting them with employers, we are creating a stronger, more dynamic local economy. This partnership demonstrates what is possible when government, development partners, and communities work together with a shared purpose.”
A symbol of hope and empowerment
Adding her voice, Nana Afia Serwaa, Paramount Queen Mother of the Goaso Traditional Council, hailed the initiative as a symbol of hope for the youth.
“This centre gives hope to our young people,” she said. “It opens doors for them to build careers, develop skills, and make informed decisions about their futures. We are deeply grateful to our partners for bringing this opportunity to Goaso and for investing in the dreams of our youth.”
Sustainable design and lasting impact
The newly inaugurated Goaso PEC, like its counterparts in Berekum and Techiman, is solar-powered and built with modern infrastructure to ensure sustainability and energy efficiency. Beyond job facilitation, the centre will serve as a hub for information on study-abroad and safe labour migration opportunities, offering young people credible alternatives to irregular migration.
The Goaso PEC stands as another milestone in Ghana’s collaboration with the EU and Germany to tackle unemployment, promote dignified work, and empower the youth who remain central to the nation’s vision for inclusive and sustainable economic transformation.
