The Youth Employment Agency (YEA), under the leadership of CEO Malik Basintale, held a high-level strategic meeting with the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Iddle Adams, to advance the Agency’s YEA PLAY ABROAD initiative, one of its flagship programmes aimed at leveraging sports as a catalyst for job creation and international opportunities for Ghanaian youth.
The meeting focused on strengthening the framework of the PLAY ABROAD initiative, which seeks to facilitate overseas opportunities for talented young athletes, sports professionals, and individuals pursuing careers across the sports value chain. The discussion underscored the importance of structured systems that not only create access to foreign markets but also safeguard participants’ welfare and long-term career prospects.
Hon. Kofi Iddle Adams commended the initiative as timely and forward-thinking, given the growing global demand for sports talent. He proposed the establishment of a joint technical team to refine the programme’s operational blueprint. This team would be tasked with developing a holistic and legally grounded approach that ensures fair recruitment processes, safe migration procedures, and enhanced employment opportunities for Ghanaian sports talent both locally and abroad.
CEO Malik Basintale reaffirmed YEA’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling its mandate under Act 887 (2015) by designing impactful programmes that align with national priorities for youth development, sports advancement, and job creation. He emphasized that the PLAY ABROAD initiative is not just about exporting talent but also about building sustainable pathways that support skills development, protect athletes’ rights, and elevate Ghana’s visibility in the global sports industry.
The meeting also explored proposals aimed at strengthening grassroots sports development, supporting emerging talent, and creating systems that encourage skilled athletes to remain competitive within the local leagues while accessing opportunities abroad through structured channels.
Under the leadership of CEO Malik Basintale, the YEA remains committed to opening global doors for Ghanaian youth through sports, ensuring that the PLAY ABROAD initiative evolves into a transformational platform that nurtures talent and creates life-changing opportunities for young people across the nation.
