Ghana’s new administration must keep promise made to youth
President Mahama’s government should prioritise investments in youth development across various sectors, including education, skills training, health, recreation, sports and job creation. At the same time, young people should be engaged meaningfully in decision-making.
On August 12 last year, John Mahama, as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, launched youth manifesto, termed as the blue print for the party’s commitment to empowering young Ghanaians and unlocking their potential for sustainable development.
The NDC Youth Manifesto outlines several key initiatives, including digital empowerment, increased access to quality education from the basic and second-cycle to tertiary levels, affordable healthcare and job creation programmes.
Policy
The new administration should implement a youth manifesto and national youth policy that spans from 2022-2032.
In particular, to successfully implement the youth policy, government should work with all stakeholders in the public and private sectors, state and non-state actors, organisations and individuals.
According to the policy, the youth constitute close to 36 per cent of the total population of Ghana. Undoubtedly, the country belongs to the youth; they are the kingmakers.
A leader cannot expect to succeed or garner support of this demographic on a whim – it requires consciously formalised coordinated effort to ensure quality improvement in their lives to enable them to contribute meaningfully to development.
Noteworthy, poor economic prospects, pervasive corruption, nepotism and poor governance have combined to negatively impact the youth. Many young people are eager and ready to work but struggle to find employment.
Already two recent developments could bring a smile on young Ghanaian’s faces. When the President scrapped seven government ministries as part of a cost-saving measure, he crafted a ministry to address youth agenda.
Dedicated
President Mahama has established a dedicated Ministry for youth development. In Akufo-Addo’s government, youth and sports were combined into a single ministry.
Mahama’s government has split this into the ministry of youth development and empowerment that focuses on youth policies and empowerment programmes, and the ministry of sports and recreation that focuses on sports development and recreational activities.
His decision must have been informed by the fact that mainstreaming youth affairs in other overcrowded ministries, especially that of sports, could turn tragic for a government that raised expectations among young people.
The new ministry has its job cut out. It should genuinely engage the youth and establish a robust strategy to address their needs and concerns. The new administration must be guided not by what it can do for young people, but what it can do with young people.
Emphasis should be on working together with young people to address the challenges they face, and to harness incredible opportunities.
The other development was the appointment of a young Ghanaian to significant ministerial portfolio as part of his first three ministerial appointments. Appointment of young people is a strong statement of faith in the capabilities of the country’s youth.
Greatest asset
It goes without saying that the youth are the country’s greatest asset and efforts must be made to protect them, invest in them, and give them a helping hand if Ghana is to realise a better future.
As Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General, said, a society that does not succeed in tapping the energies and creativity of its youth risks being left behind.
The writer is a Public Policy Analyst.
E-mail: raphojuma@hotmail.com