In Ghana, youth aged 15 to 35 comprise 38% of the population, while children under 15 account for another 35%. These numbers reveal that younger people comprise a large portion of the population, drawing increased focus on their needs. Unfortunately, many young adults in Ghana struggle with high unemployment rates and limited access to education.

According to the Ghana Youth Barometer 2024 Report, around 42.9% of youth reported the system has begun to worsen, as 88.1% reported issues with limited financial resources. The Youth Opportunity and Transformation in Africa (YOTA) conducted a report that analyzes the perceptions and experiences of Ghanaian youth. Shining light to amplify the voices of the next generation. Restrictions and halts, like COVID-19, have caused issues slowing economic growth leading to job loss and a lack of opportunities. Fortunately, youth programs and organizations are empowering the next generation and lending a hand to strengthen their futures. Here are four youth programs in Ghana. 

Youth Employment Agency  

The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) was formed to tackle the country’s youth unemployment issues and relieve stress from those struggling. Starting as the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) in 2005, it transformed into GYEEDA in 2012 and became the YEA in 2015. The Agency aims to open up employment opportunities for youth through various programs like job placement programs and skills training. The YEA created Job Centre Ghana, an initiative to address youth unemployment and open up job placements. The center targets undergraduates and low-skilled workers while aiming to build and enhance those looking for work.

Youth Empowerment For Life – Ghana

The Youth Empowerment For Life officially became a nongovernmental organization in Jan. 2010. Its mission addresses the needs of the youth in Ghana through developmental and intellectual activities. It operates a variety of 22 youth projects reaching around 40,000 people with 10 youth centers. Some of its projects include Youth LIFE, which aims to provide vulnerable out-of-school youth in urban and peri-urban areas with opportunities for social and economic development. The project offers training and assistance so the youth can succeed. Some other projects include Youth Entrepreneurship and Youth Speak along with many others. Its Youth Centres are a tool for social empowerment and a space to share and learn information with one another. As the projects continue to make an impact, so do the youth involved.

Child Research and Resource Centre

Founded in 2004, the Child Research and Resource Centre  (CRRECENT) is a civil society organization focused on child and youth initiatives. Its mission is to create a focused foundation for vulnerable children and young adults to have tools and an environment where they can thrive. Its target population is children (0 to 18 years), challenged youth (19 to 24 years) and adults working with children. It works to meet its goals by researching and implementing. CRRECENT current projects include Girls’ Empowerment and Child and Youth Policy. The projects strive not only to teach but also to make an impact on girls and children from different backgrounds. CRRECENT works with Child Protection Committees, developing School Performance and Improvement Plans (SPIP) and implementing activities that work toward improving school conditions. Asserting that education is key to change.

Youth Bridge Foundation

Committed to youth development, the Youth Bridge Foundation (YBF) is a nonprofit organization focused on providing resources to the youth. YBF has a variety of projects and programs aimed to enhance young adults’ lives and careers. Started in 2017, the Educate to Innovate with STEM was funded by Tullow Oil Ghana Limited. A program aimed at helping students improve their performance in math and science. YBF launched and implemented this initiative to address specific educational challenges. The Initiative not only promotes the project but also a handful of others like Youth Vote and the Duapa Youth Reforestation Project.

Looking Ahead

By 2030, African youth will constitute 42% of the global youth population. The support from these organizations and programs offers hope for the next generation. These youth programs in Ghana not only aim to nurture the youth but also help them achieve their fullest potential.

– Savannah Garza

Savannah is based in New York, NY, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr