Strengthening Youth Development Coordination in Ghana: ActionAid Ghana joins National Review of Youth Sector Working Group Framework

On Monday, July 14, 2025, ActionAid Ghana joined other progressive civil society organisations and development partners at a critical review meeting of the Youth Sector Working Group (YSWG) framework, facilitated by the National Youth Authority. The meeting sought to evaluate and update the group’s Terms of Reference and operational framework to ensure better alignment with the evolving needs of Ghana’s young population.

The Youth Sector Working Group is a pivotal platform within the government’s broader strategic effort to coordinate youth-focused policy implementation and sectoral collaboration. This review signals a renewed national commitment to placing young people at the centre of development planning, fostering synergy among stakeholders, and streamlining programming for more impactful results.

As a social justice organisation with over 30 years of transformative work in youth empowerment, AAG reaffirmed its commitment to the process at the event. From establishing grassroots youth networks like Activista Ghana, Young Urban Women’s Movement, Young Female Platforms, and various Girls' Groups, ActionAid Ghana has consistently created safe spaces for young people to lead, advocate, and co-create change in their communities.

“We are particularly excited to be part of this renewed collaborative agenda. The reviewed framework aligns strongly with ActionAid Ghana’s core thematic focus areas – from youth leadership and gender justice to economic empowerment and civic participation, However, as an institution we need to prioritise building quality database to support stakeholders in decision making and development project implementations” said a representative from ActionAid Ghana’s Programmes Team.

As the Youth Sector Working Group evolves into a more robust coordinating body, ActionAid Ghana remains committed to amplifying the voices of young people and ensuring that youth-centered policies translate into real opportunities, dignity, and inclusion. Moving forward, we seek to make more strides with this working group framework by;
1. Expanding ActionAid constituency base through movements building by placing the youth at the centre of our development strategy.
2. Profiling and Expanding the population of the youth groups and building their organisational and leadership skills to self organise and build solidarity for active citizenship, champions for climate and economic justice in Ghana and West Africa. 
3. Profiling and building databases of youth groups and retooling them to champion advocacy to combat climate change, while addressing Ghana's debt crisis through advocacy for better investment in agroecology, food crops production and renewable energy systems in Ghana and West Africa. 
4. Enhance youth coordination for development by building alliances, coalitions and networking relationships in the Ghana and West Africa to address agroecology, climate change and migration issues.

We are excited for the journey ahead and look forward to harnessing more potentials of the Ghanaian youth.