Ghana's National Youth Policy RePRESENTED

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Towards an Empowered Youth, Impacting Positively on

National Development

Ministry of Youth and Sports, August 2010


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In memory of 19th April, 2013

We were 10 men and women strong

#1SimpleStep

http://onesimplestepgh.blogspot.com

Dedicated to:

@MutombodaPoet (Percy Osei-Appiah)

@attigs (Nehemiah Senyo Attigah)

@kwabena (Kwabena Akuamoah Boateng)

@MawuliTsikata (Mawuli Tsikata)

@kinna (Kinna Likimani)

@ganyobisaki (Nii Saki Sackey)

@wrathymarcel (Gideon Marcel Commey)

@ghanabakwabena (Cecil Ato Kwamena Dadzie)

@EkOwMaIsSe (Ekow Atta-Baidoo)

Sowah Tawiah

@GHANAmomoni

This document is complementary to the National Youth Policy of Ghana, as

published by the National Youth Authority of Ghana.

This document is created and printed by Golda Naa Adaku Addo

May 2013. Accra. Ghana.

+233(0)244828322

Acknowledgements (Images): businessfightspoverty.org ; attracttherightemployer.blogpsot.com

;dreamstime.com ; 123fr.com
http://onesimplestepgh.blogspot.com/http://onesimplestepgh.blogspot.com/


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PROLOGUEOnce upon a time, the inter-generational gap between the old, the elderly,

and the young used to be well-oiled and well-primed. The youth therefore learnt

well, and grew well into adults, and it was a forgeone conclusion that youth would

always practice and learn from the elderly, and the elderly would always part with

nuggets of knowledge, lore, and culture to make for a stable herald of the future.

But for the past generation and the current one, there now lies a yawning

chasm where there used to be a well-oiled gap; and where elders used to have

values to share, they are now busy with other issues, leaving the youth dangerously

unethical, immoral, unpatriotic, and unprepared for life and adulthood. Even when

the elders have something worth sharing to the youth, the youth are now not

interested in learning, too deep in the race of survival and self-interest. All is

chaos. Yet the youth ARE the future.

What future are we heading towards then? .


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FOREWORD:Youth development does not occur in a vacuum. The Youth must prepare, and

also be prepared to take up this leadership role. Government, the Youth themselves,

Parents, Civil Society Organisations, Development Partners, and the Media are

enjoined by the Constitution and moral suasion to take up this responsibility and

discharge it to the best of their ability.

A well formulated policy like this one, is the outcome of a wide consultative

process, and it is expected that the ultimate beneficiaries of this policy the youth

will be challenged enough to maximize the use of this policy to justify their

deserved and rightful inclusion in national development, and also their full

empowerment.

Akua Sena Dansua, (MP)

Minister for Youth and Sports

August 10, 2010


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EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe youth are a valuable resource, and must be harnessed for national development.

The existence of this National Youth Policy is what makes it possible for Government

to engage with youth and stakeholders in meaningful partnership(tie your cloth-end to my

cloth-end) to develop the necessary platforms and projects for youth

empowerment and development.

THE NY POLICYS THEME:

This all-powerful document (policy) is what will give directions to all stakeholders who

work in implementation of policies, programmes and projects, so that they know how to go

about their work for a positive impact on the youth. It is also a demonstration of how committed

Mother Ghana is to all the international conventions and charters(laws, and other things

that if you do not do, will get you in court or in prison) it has signed on Youth issues.

This policy has been divided into 12 important

sections, each dealing with some issues affecting the youth

in Ghana. See back of book [Pages 1-2].

This is how much I

love my young

people. Pregnant

but still carrying

more


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THE NY POLICY IN DETAIL:RATIONALE

For Govt-Youth-Stakeholder engagement and meaningful partnership

For Youth Empowerment

Who is a Stakeholder?stake.hold.er noun 1 a person or organisation that is involved in a particular

project, system, or group, etc., especially because they have invested in that

project, system or entity, or because they have stakes to protect in that project or

entity

Therefore, who is the Stakeholder here?

What is Empowerment?Em.power.ment syn AUTHORIZATION to give somebody more control over their own life or

the situation they are in

What does the NY Policy mean when it says Youth empowerment?

The concept of empowerment is to create a nurturing environment that grows the youth

in the right direction and also helps them to get knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, ethics.

These things are RESOURCES from society, and help the youth to contribute to the economic,

social, and cultural progress of themselves, their families, and the nation.

ParentsoliticiansSocietyhiefs

EmployerseachersMentors Spouses

The Young Man; & the Young Woman


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In other terms, it is like the latest Samsung Galaxy phone with all its accessories, in the hands

of someone who has been given the knowledge and motivation to use it, such that it becomes

beneficial to himself, the phone company, the telecom company, and all those he/she

communicates, messages, and emails with via the phone.

Through this NY policy, government wishes to prepare all young Ghanaians to meet the

many obstacles and challenges that come with adolescence, adulthood, and the transition in-

between. By working with partners and stakeholders to create events, forums, camps,

stakeholder support, dialogue and other useful activities, the government can motivate the

youth to become socially, morally, emotionally, physically, and economically independent, as well

as highly able to think smartly and intelligently through issues.

S3bi s3bi, if you cannot think, or are not useful to anybody, who wants you? But at

the same time, if someone takes you as you are, and works on you so that you can think and

become useful, you will begin to realize the importance of all these things listed by the policy

above. Where resources and energy are being spent on you to make you a responsible youth, do

not give anyone cause for regret. Show that you deserved it, and even more!

OVERVIEWLet us say it; when it comes to imagination, ideas, energy, and vision, the Youth are the

tops! This means that they are the major source of human capital for Mother Ghana. They are

also the inventors and innovators of technology for the country. The more we help them with

their educational training, literacy, intellectual growth, and productive ability, the more we

confirm the progress and future of this good country. That is why we like to use this word

IMPERATIVEso proudly when we put it to you thatthe development and empowerment


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of the youth is imperative for the attainment of national development goals. Let us take account

of our Youth!

ARE WE: Giving them opportunities to gain skills and education? Teaching them how to appreciate good decision-making? Instilling in them the communal spirit?

Or

WE ARE LEAVING THEM TO: Poverty Social exclusion Desperate measures for survival Peer pressure and negative foreign influences Economic marginalization (high unemployment)

Government has beaten its chest and promised:

Effective mobilization of the youth Productive engagement of their talents and energies Creation of an enabling environment so the Youth can realize their full potential.

Let us hold them accountable, and our elders too. But most importantly, the Youth!

How do the young people ensure that they are worthy of support, and how intelligently

do they ensure that the older generation and government keep up their end of the bargain??


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DEFINITION OF YOUTHRemember those jokes about how a parent is always a parent, and how your parent

would be 80 years old, and you would be 50, but he/she would still try to lash you like a child?

How young or old is youth? And whose definition must we pick?See back of book for details.

Furthermore, the NY Policy has divided young people into GROUPS, expectant that this will help

stakeholders to better know how to prepare their support:o Rural and Urbano Male and Femaleo Adolescents and Adultso Physically-challenged and Able-bodiedo

Educated and Uneducated

o In-School and Out-of-Schoolo Organised and Unorganisedo Skilled and Unskilled

Do all of the above make sense to you?

Do you feel a category has been left out?

Do these groupings help the situation, or rather divide the Youth?

What are the systems you know of, in society and under Government that strengthens the Youth

under these divisions?

?

EXAM: Objective Questions (Choose one)

A YOUTH is someone between the ages of:

(A) 15 years to 35 years

(B) 12 years to 40 years?


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CHALLENGES FACING THE YOUTH or are we ratherfacing the challenges? Access to quality education and the inadequate or inappropriate training for the real

world and the job market.

Unemployment and underemployment as a result of this Negative effects of urbanization and modernization Growing cases of youth involved in violence, conflicts, juvenile delinquency (political,

social, ethnic)

Erosion of traditional social support systems and the weakening role of the family High vulnerability to hunger, malnutrition, disease High incidence of drug and substance abuse Inadequate recreational and counseling facilities Inadequate mentoring opportunities leading to weak moral, social, cultural, and

religious values in the youth

High vulnerability to STIs and STDs, including HIV/AIDS Inadequate opportunities for youth participation in decision-making at societal, district,

and national levels

Inadequate appreciation of and involvement in protection and conservation of theenvironment to ensure a sustainable future

Peer pressure Streetism Erosion of patriotism Come again! Irresponsible parenthood Some parents are themselves still children; and others live at

their workplaces


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Get-rich-quick schemes and attitudes; laziness

POLICY FRAMEWORKThis policy is founded on ACCESS, EQUITY, and MEANINGFUL

PARTICIPATIONfor all youth. But how does it envision ideal Youth conditions? How does the

NYA regard the ultimate purpose of an empowered youth? See their strategies at the back of

the book [Page 7-8].

Guiding the framework are key principles that the NY identifies as:

Patriotism

Self Reliance Honesty & Integrity Participation Equity Access

Leadership Good Governance Gender Mainstreaming Respect Coordination & Collaboration.

These big, important-sounding words are the main platforms that the NY

Policy will stand on to ensure that all youth have access, equity, and meaningful

participation to the plans of the nation!

They are 11 principles in all. No, the number has nothing to do with anything. I

just thought Id letyou know. Maybe it will make for good conversation.

Hello, gorgeous. Did you

know there are 11 big key

principles in our National

Youth Policy?


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Furthermore, in most policies, there are many ideas and recommendations, but when it comes

down to order of preference, there are the big fish then the small fish (kituwaa eni

ak3se3). So in this important document from the National Youth Authority with its

pleeeeentyrecommendations, which ones are the big fish? They are as follows, and the Policy

calls them PRIORITY AREAS:Education and Skills Training

Science, Research & Technology

Information & Communication Technology (ICT)

Youth and EmploymentEntrepreneurial Development

Youth in Modern Agriculture

Gender Mainstreaming

Environment

Health, HIV and AIDS

Networking and PartnershipMentoring

Arts & Culture

Governance, Democracy & Leadership

Sports & Recreation

Youth in Conflict Prevention & Peace Building

National Youth WeekYouth and Vulnerability

Youth, Patriotism, and Volunteerism

Nationalism and Conscientization of the Youth

Ah! They are plenty oh! All of them priority?


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Why these many priority areas?

How will Government and stakeholders focus when these many areas have been prioritized?Do you feel they all qualify as priority?

If you had your way, what would you advise, and why?

IDENITIFIABLE GROUPS UNDER THE NY POLICYAnother group oh. This time, this one looks at some of the SERIOUS issues affecting some

of the Youth, and what solutions can be put in place (read more on Page 19]:

1. Post-basic and Secondary School Drop-OutsThe policy says it will facilitate equal access to relevant skills and quality educational

opportunities.

Do you think there should rather be a complementary category of schooling that takes care of

drop-outs who find the normal system intimidating or confusing; and other teaching spaces for

youth who need informal training and literacy rather than normal schooling?

2.Students in Tertiary InstitutionsPrepare them for gainful employment and responsible citizenship for national and their own

social, political, and economic development.

Do you think our schools and curriculums are enabling this?

?


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3.Out-of-school, Unemployed, and Under-employed YouthDevelop and implement programmes and projects that will benefit youth, create self-employment

and wealth, and be marketable in the global environment.

How is this happening? What is it going to take to transform the situation?

4.Female YouthAdvocate for the elimination of all forms of discrimination, protect them from sexual

harassment, physical violence and abuse, labour exploitation, and other negative attitudes and

cultural practices. This policy will protect their rights and interests, advance them, and givethem dignity and motivation as equal partners in the national development agenda.

Is this a fair or biased perspective, if you were male? To females, is this patronizing or

dignifiying or merely necessary? Is it a believable intention, in your view?

5.Pregnant Adolescent Youth And EducationEnsure that the adolescent mother is well cared for, and a framework followed to encourage

completion of at least, secondary education.

What are the systems in place for this, and who are the direct stakeholders to ensure this?

Have you been an adolescent mother before, and what were your experiences? Are you the

product of an adolescent pregnancy, and what did/does your mother think? What was her

experience then? What was your life like? Does this policy impress you?

6.Youth in Crime and Violence-Related ProblemsAddress the disturbing trend of increasing youth in substance abuse, armed robbery, violence,

occultism, by providing rehabilitation towards law-abiding conduct.

Should there not be a proactive measure against this that ensures that young people do not

even get to the stage of committing crimes and violence; rather than setting reactive measures

that attempt to put salve on a deep wound that might never heal? What do you think?


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7.Youth at riskConflict survivors, orphans, terminally ill youth, youth left from broken homes, street children

will all be handled by counseling centres and rehabilitative facilities.

Really? What have you seen happening in terms of this? Have you actually seen anything

happening so far? What do you think is the most practical thing to put in place?

8.Youth with Disability and Health ChallengesUphold societys responsibility towards youth with disability and difficult health circumstances.

How many of our buildings and places of access are friendly to disabled and challenged people?

How many trotros and taxis can take a disabled person? How many of these vehicles have drivers

who WILL take disabled passengers?

9.Youth with special talentsProvide encouragement and opportunities to adequately harness and utilize the creative

potentials of young persons in this domain, for national development.

Are you a specially talented youth? Would you trust this policy to address your talentpositively? Why, or why not? What even qualifies as special talent? Do you know?

RIGHTS OF THE YOUTHIt says under this section that:

The rights of the Ghanaian, including the Youth are enshrined in the 1992

Constitution of Ghana, and any treaty/convention related to the Youth to

which Ghana has appended its signature, shall be respected and upheld by ALL

stakeholders.


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This is serious English, and you should take a look at our Constitution just to have a good

understanding of what exactly these rights are. Plus, when you are talking or arguing with

someone about your rights as a young person, you can utter those big sentences with

confidence. But the government is quick to add this:

You must also internalize the fact that rights thrive best with

responsibilities.

What they are only saying is that if you want us to scratch your back, you scratch ours. If you

want me to watch your yard when you are not around, then you must also watch my yard when I

am absent.

OBLIGATIONSWhen we talk about the Youth, there are certain groups in society who areirrevocably

responsiblefor the good or bad that comes out of young people. According to the NYA, thesegroups are:

o The State to ensure that the youth enjoy their fundamental rights as have beenpenned in the 1992 Constitution.Who will pen our latest one, and when will it bepenned?

o Parents/Guardiansfamilies need to create culturally sensitive guidance systems,and provide the resources needed for the proper growth and development of the youth,to contribute to their respective societies and/or communities.

o The Youththe Ghanaian culture upholds moral upbringing and law abidingcitizenship as a social necessity.


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o The Private Sectorthe policy takes due cognizance of the role of the privatesector in national development. It is therefore anticipated that the private sector will

provide a number of jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth.

o Civil Society Organisations/Institutionsthese groups are helpful infacilitating ways in which the youth obtain exposure to leadership and decision-making

situations, as well as transit smoothly into adulthood.

o Religious Organisations, Traditional Authorities, and Socio-Cultural Groupingsthe youth need to grow within a proper cultural context. It isimperative to provide the correct moral compass to guide them in leading responsible

youth and adult lives.

o International Organisationsthe ECOWAS, AU, UN, CommonwealthSecretariat are all required to promote awareness of their international obligations

amongst the youth.

o Development Partners and Donor agenciesthis policy acknowledgesthe depth of support and collaboration received in the past from International

Development Partners and Donor Agencies in national development and youth

empowerment programmes. This behoves on them to sustain their responsibility.

IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISMSTo put into effect all the nice-nicethings that have been said above, the National Youth

Council is mandated and expected to facilitate and institute a Youth Stakeholders Forum that


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will play an active role with all identifiable youth groups at national, regional, and district levels.

It will therefore work to do the following:

Bring together and coordinate where necessary, government institutions, NGOs, and

youth organisations, as well as stakeholders for youth empowerment.

The ministry responsible for youth development will oversee the coordination,

implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and review of the NY Policy.

This shall be done through the Natiaonl Youth Council with the active participation of the

youth and in collaboration with ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs),

NGOs/institutions and other stakeholders.

The NYC shall ensure that Youth associations in Ghana shall play an active role at

national, regional, and district levels in the implementation of this NY Policy. They shall

position themselves as the bridges between government and the youth, to ensure that

policy makers are kept informed on the views and aspirations of the youth.

Civil society orgs, NGOs, non-profit making institutions, and community-based

organisations play a crucial role in youth development. In recognition of their positive

contributions, certain roles will be expected from them.

This policy further recognized the important supportive roles of International

Development Partners in national development and the promotion of youth empowerment.

MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REVIEW OFPOLICY

In collaboration with the Ministry responsible for youth affairs, the National Youth

Council shall monitor the implementation of the National Youth Policy to ensure that it responds


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to the development needs and aspirations of the youth, and their contribution to the broader

development agenda of the state. Meaning, it will keep watching and analyzing the impact of the

policy, and how many marks it should be awarded for usefulness. If it looks like things are not

looking too commendable, the policy will be reviewed (they will look at it again, and

change things here and there, so it becomes better). This re-looking will be done

whenever necessary (but at least once in every five years) and in line with other government

policies.

Action PlanThe National Youth Policy will be implemented through an ACTION PLAN, which will

outline comprehensive strategies, projects and activities, time frame with respect to

immediate, short, medium and long term and the budget lines that will achieve its desired

objectives. The National Youth Council, in collaboration with relevant

stakeholders, has developed the National Action Plan for the implementation

of this policy and will be reviewed as and when necessary.

THE END FINITO!The Youth are one of the critical resources of the nation, considering their potential,

numbers, vitality, and capabilities as change agents for national transformation. The State

requires a vibrant National Youth Policy to guide and direct systematic mobilization and

development of the youth for sustainable national development. This policy document captures

the major concerns and issues critical for youth development. It gives direction to the youth and

Is this ACTION

PLAN confusing

to you? Me too!


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programmes and services expected of all stakeholders involved in youth development and

empowerment. They need opportunities, space and resources to realize their individual and

collective vision.

In this Policy, Government declares the importance of youth involvement in national

development and emphasizes the complementary role of MDAs, MMDAs, NGOs, the Donor-

community, as well as other stakeholders in the common pursuit of youth development in Ghana.

Government therefore implores all stakeholders to collaborate in the effective implementation of

the policy.

Nota Bene:


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The Back of this Book

All the relevant details of the National Youth Policy that we have

referred you to are better read in the original document!

Now, go get a copy. It determines your future.

Read it. Know it. Ask Questions. Argue and debate the contents. Then

step forward with direction. Are you for this policy? Or against it? Why?

Accra. May 2013.

Documents

Ghana's National Youth Policy RePRESENTED