The first cohort of 10,000 artisans under the Youth Em­ployment Agency (YEA) intensive skills training programme yesterday graduated at Oyibi near Accra. At an impressive ceremony at Valley View University, the Chief Ex­ecutive Officer (CEO) of YEA, Mr Kofi Baah Agyepong, highlighted the significance of the graduation, describing it as a "game-changer" for the nation. The graduands Addressing the gathering, Mr Agyepong praised the newly trained artisans, referring to them as "young game changers" who have mas­tered skills in 10 critical trade areas, including carpentry, beauty care, auto works, POP, welding, glazing, electricals, painting, plumbing, and hairdressing. "These 10,000 talented young men and women represent the first half of our ambitious goal to train 20,000 skilled professionals. "Today, we stand on this humble ground to congratulate them as they embark on a journey that will not only transform their lives but also their families and the entire country," he said. Each trained artisan received GH¢3,000 during the training and essential equipment and materials upon graduation to help them start their own businesses. As part of the ceremony, the YEA also launched the GhArtisan App, a platform that will allow clients to easily find and hire these certified artisans through their mobile phones.