Minister-designate for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has announced plans to create a dedicated desk at the ministry to solicit funds globally for youth-focused initiatives.

This move, he says, will ensure the successful implementation of policies outlined in the National Youth Manifesto of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

During his vetting on Wednesday, January 22, he emphasised that the fundraising desk would aggressively pursue international partnerships and investments to support the ministry's programmes.

“If this committee graciously gives me the nod, one of the first things I intend to set up is a desk at the ministry that will go around the world and solicit funding to support initiatives of young people,” he declared.

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Mr Opare Addo also addressed concerns about funding gaps in the face of Ghana’s current economic challenges.

“I believe that when His Excellency President Mahama decided to establish the Ministry for Youth Development, he had a plan and a vision. I want to believe strongly that he will make resources available even though we are under austerity,” he stated.

Responding to a question on expected budgetary allocations, the minister-designate highlighted that the Ministry of Youth and Sports, before its decoupling, had received approximately GH₵ 35 million in the previous year’s budget. While awaiting confirmation of the new ministry's allocation, he expressed confidence in President Mahama’s commitment to adequately fund youth programmes.

“I am yet to sit down with the Finance Minister to determine how much will be allocated. However, I know how passionate His Excellency is about youth issues, and I want to strongly believe they will heavily fund this ministry to resolve the many challenges confronting young people,” he said.