National Youth Leaders Forum Sets Stage for Historic Youth Mobilization Across Ghana

The British Council Auditorium in Accra was transformed into a powerful hub of national youth engagement on Thursday, December 4, 2025, as the Ghana Youth Federation (GYF) convened its highly anticipated National Youth Leaders Forum.

The event brought together youth leaders, civil society actors, development partners, institutional representatives, and youth networks from across the nation, all united by a shared purpose: to discuss, refine, and validate the National Strategic Action Plan (NSAP), a comprehensive roadmap designed to reshape youth mobilization, empowerment, and policy participation across all 267 districts of Ghana.

In a defining moment of the forum, the National Coordinator of the Ghana Youth Federation, Mr. Ali Ibraheem, presented the draft National Strategic Action Plan, explaining that the document was the outcome of a strategic retreat held shortly after the federation’s activation in September.

He emphasized that the plan was not developed behind closed doors, revealing that it had already been shared with youth leaders through a dedicated WhatsApp platform to ensure broad feedback and participation.

“Nothing for the youth without the youth,” he declared, underscoring the federation’s unwavering commitment to inclusion and collective authorship.

Mr. Ibraheem explained that the strategic plan was shaped by critical data and realities within the youth development space.

He highlighted that 73% of Ghana’s population is under 35, presenting a powerful demographic advantage that must be intentionally harnessed.

However, he also pointed out significant challenges: only 4% of youth groups in the country are formally registered, making coordination difficult; youth unemployment continues to rise sharply; and despite the widespread use of smartphones, 60% of young people lack the digital literacy needed to fully participate in modern economic and civic opportunities.

He further noted that the strategy was anchored on the African Union’s Agenda 2063, national youth policies, and existing government frameworks, all of which were examined and integrated to produce a simplified but robust plan.

Central to the strategic plan is the federation’s vision to build a united and visionary youth parliament capable of amplifying youth voices across all levels of decision-making.

The plan revolves around four key objectives—representation, empowerment, policy advocacy, and civic participation—supported by four strategic pillars: institutionalization, district mobilization, youth diplomacy, and flagship programs.

Among these programs is the Ghana Youth Index Report, a national initiative that will document and showcase the activities and impacts of youth organizations across the country.

Outlining the roadmap for nationwide mobilization, Mr. Ibraheem announced that the federation aims to activate youth structures in all 267 districts by the end of 2026.

He described the task as ambitious but attainable only through collective effort.

Some districts, he noted, have already begun forming their structures, and he urged all youth leaders present to initiate similar efforts within their communities.

He also introduced the creation of Technical Working Groups (TWGs), calling on every leader to join at least one thematic area to refine and operationalize the NSAP.

Addressing governance and transition, he reaffirmed the commitment to transparent and accountable processes. Elections will begin at the district level and progress to regional and national stages.

He stressed that age requirements would be strictly enforced, explaining that any leader who exceeds the youth age limit—even after 340 days in office—would be disqualified, a measure intended to preserve the youth-centeredness of the federation.

He further revealed that the District‑Regional Governance Charter developed to regulate elections and transitions free of political interference, would soon undergo district-to-national validation.

Mr. Ibraheem detailed the federation’s funding model, revealing a budget target of GHS 5.83 million, expected to be sourced from government allocations, 30% private sector support, and contributions from international development partners.

He disclosed ongoing engagements with UNFPA and other agencies to ensure alignment between the NSAP and global development frameworks.

He also announced significant progress on the federation’s secretariat, membership relations management system, and website, which he described as nearing completion and essential for enhanced communication and coordination.

He closed with a powerful call to action, urging all youth leaders to join the movement and mobilize their communities, emphasizing, “This federation belongs to all of us.”

The President of the Ghana Youth Federation, Mr. Sherif Ghali, followed with an impassioned address that centered on unity.

He asserted that the greatest challenge facing Ghana’s youth is not political influence or governmental structures, but the disunity among youth organizations themselves.

“We have a very developed youth ecosystem, but it is weak,” he said. “Our problem is unity.”

He emphasized that internal divisions undermine the collective influence of young people, especially when leaders discredit one another before policymakers.

He announced upcoming meetings with national authorities to present a unified youth agenda and urged youth leaders to stand together for stronger national impact.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Youth Authority, Mr. Osman Abdulai Ayariga, Esq., commended the Ghana Youth Federation for elevating youth coordination and representation.

He noted that although the NYA is a government institution under Act 939, the independence of the federation positions it strategically to articulate youth interests without partisan influence.

He stressed that unity among youth organizations amplifies national influence, stating, “Coming together under one umbrella does not reduce your individual power—it multiplies it.”

Representing the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Mr. Casper Sunday Capoli reminded the audience that Ghanaian youth are naturally entrepreneurial, with surveys showing that seven out of ten young people aspire to start businesses.

However, many face challenges in funding, training, and support.

He announced that NEIP is completing major training programs for 10,000 young people and affirmed the institution’s readiness to collaborate with the federation.

He warned against forming parallel youth groups driven by personal interests, urging a more unified national approach.

Civil society voices also carried significant weight at the forum. Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, stressed that youth empowerment must be treated as a right, not a privilege.

He urged leaders to ensure that the NSAP becomes a living tool for national transformation rather than a document that gathers dust.

Dr. Wemakor who doubles as the Convener of the Youth Sub-platform of the Ghana CSOs Platform on SDGs, highlighted the need for investments in employment creation, ethical leadership, and inclusive participation.

The keynote speech, delivered by Dr. Elom Hillary Otchi, Technical Director at the Africa Institute of Healthcare Quality Safety and Accreditation, challenged youth leaders to shift the national mindset from drafting policies to implementing them.

He emphasized the need for digital literacy, accountability, and forward-looking skills to prepare young people for a rapidly changing future.

As the forum drew to a close, it was clear that Ghana’s youth leaders were united in their commitment to a new era of structured, coordinated, and impactful youth leadership.

With the National Strategic Action Plan nearing validation, participants expressed optimism that a historic shift is underway—one that will mobilize youth across all 267 districts and elevate their influence in national development.