Youth participation in youth programmes: The case of Ghana's national youth employment programme

R Gyampo

Abstract

The essence of governance and representative democracy is for elected leaders to formulate and implement appropriate policies on behalf of the people to deal with the quagmires of poverty and under-development among them. In doing this, sometimes it becomes necessary to consult the people, especially, the particular group that a policy is targeted at, to ensure that first-hand and adequate information is gathered to facilitate the design and implementation of appropriate policies to deal with that group’s problems. In Ghana, since 1992, development plans have been formulated and implemented with little or no participation of the youth even though they constitute the bulk of the nation’s labour force and voting population. The youth were also marginalized in the formulation and implementation of the National Youth Employment Programme, a programme intended to benefit them and to deal with unemployment among them. Consequently, the programme is saddled with several challenges most of which could have been avoided if the youth had been part of the NYEP process. What is the NYEP all about? How was it formulated and implemented? What role did the youth play in the NYEP process? What explain their weak role in the NYEP process? What are the effects of the weak role of the youth in the NYEP process on the programme? What can be done to strengthen the programme to deliver on its mandate in solving the problem of youth unemployment? These questions are addressed in the paper.

How its relevant to scouting

This article is highly relevant for Scouting because it highlights the risks and consequences of excluding young people from decision-making processes that directly affect them. As a youth-led movement, Scouting advocates for meaningful youth participation in governance, policy design, and implementation. The example of Ghana’s National Youth Employment Programme shows how sidelining youth leads to ineffective outcomes, even in initiatives intended for their benefit. For Scouts, this underscores the importance of empowering young people as active contributors, not passive beneficiaries, in shaping solutions to issues like unemployment, poverty, and under-development. By promoting youth engagement and leadership, Scouting can model inclusive governance, strengthen the credibility of youth-focused programs, and ensure that policies and initiatives are better aligned with the real needs and aspirations of young people