The National Youth Authority (NYA) has announced a partnership with courier company Shaqexpress to train 1,000 young people annually in electric bike courier and Okada services.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to equip the youth with practical, employable skills while promoting environmentally sustainable transportation solutions.

Speaking to Citi News, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NYA, Osman Ayariga, said the programme aligns with the Authority’s mission to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship among Ghanaian youth.

“We are going to train them not just on how to ride the bikes but also on how to build a business around it,” Ayariga explained. “There’s a difference between simply doing a ‘work and pay’ arrangement and establishing a business model that ensures you can repay and sustain your operations.”

He added that Shaqexpress will develop the curriculum and training modalities, while also facilitating access to the electric bikes through a structured work-and-pay system.

“Shaqexpress is expected to provide the curriculum and the framework for training, and also support with delivering the bikes. But we are also inviting other delivery and Okada companies who want to join us in training more young people to build sustainable businesses in the transport sector,” he added.

The partnership complements ongoing government efforts to formalize and legalize commercial motorcycle transport—commonly known as Okada—in Ghana, as part of a job creation and youth empowerment drive.