Ghana’s National Youth Authority (NYA) Chief Executive Officer, Osman Abdulai Ayariga, has called for youth development to be integrated across all sectors of the economy and governance. He stated that youth development cannot be the sole responsibility of the NYA or the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment. This comprehensive approach ensures that policies directly affecting young people are considered nationwide.
Mr. Ayariga emphasized that policies in education, agriculture, employment, health, trade, technology, housing, climate, and local governance must deliberately consider the interests of young people. He made these remarks at the National Youth Forum at UPSA on Wednesday, August 19. This broader integration aims to prevent youth issues from being siloed within specific ministries.
This call aligns with Ghana's ongoing efforts to harness its youthful population for economic growth and stability. With a significant portion of the population under 35, effective youth development policies are crucial for future productivity and social cohesion. Previous initiatives, such as the National Apprenticeship Programme, have shown the potential for targeted youth interventions, with one program surpassing its 10,000 target to reach 14,000 beneficiaries.
“Youth development cannot be the responsibility of the National Youth Authority or the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment alone,” Mr. Ayariga stated. He highlighted the need for youth considerations to be integrated into the policies, budgets, programs, and monitoring frameworks of all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. This includes Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies.
The implications of this mainstreaming are significant for resource allocation and policy effectiveness. It means that future national budgets and sector-specific plans will need to explicitly detail how they address youth needs and opportunities. The ongoing development of a Legislative Instrument (LI) to operationalize the National Youth Authority Act, 2016 (Act 939), will further strengthen this institutional framework. This LI, once approved by Parliament, will enhance the NYA’s effectiveness, coordination, and program delivery.
Mr. Ayariga also mentioned that emerging Regional and District Youth Committees will provide structures for stakeholders to coordinate youth development programs. These committees will identify priorities, reduce duplication of efforts, and monitor interventions at the local level. The Ghana Youth Federation and the Ghana Network of Youth with Disabilities are also key components of this evolving national youth development architecture. The ultimate objective is to establish a system where youth development is systematically planned, adequately resourced, effectively coordinated, and regularly monitored across Ghana.