President John Mahama will on Thursday, January 15, 2015 launch a strategy framework to guide and direct the efforts of all stakeholders towards youth empowerment in Ghana.

The National Youth Policy Implementation Policy provides a comprehensive rollout scheme to deliver the policy programs purposed to empower Ghanaian youths for more meaningful participation in national development.

The NYPIP which will be launched at the Headquarters of National Youth Authority at the Azumah Nelson Sports, Kaneshie at 9am, will bring together key stakeholders in the execution of the national youth development program.

Prior to the preparation of the National Youth Policy Implementation Program in 2014, the quest to centralize youth development programs into a single, comprehensive and accessible action plan for all stakeholders remained largely elusive in spite of numerous commendable efforts by successive governments.

Chief Executive Officer for the NYA Ras Mubarak in a statement noted: “The 2010 Housing and Population Census put nearly 75% of Ghana’s population at being 35 years old and younger”. 

“The youth by this census, unequivocally represent the largest human resource base of Ghana, and necessitates that the overall object of the NYPIP be to make a realistic improvement in the lives of this dominant constituency of our nation, through their involvement and ownership, so that they can contribute meaningfully to the national development agenda,” Mr. Mubarak added.

Priority areas

Ghana's National Youth Policy sets the tone for youth mainstreaming as and outlines clear objectives for each of the priority areas.

In all, seventeen(17) priority areas have been identified as follows: Education and Skills Training; Science, Research and Technology; Information and Communication Technology (ICT); Youth and Employment; Entrepreneurial Development in addition to Youth in Modern Agriculture.

Others include Gender Mainstreaming; the Environment; Health, HIV and AIDS; Networking and Partnership; Mentoring; Arts and Culture; Governance, Democracy, and Leadership as well as Sports and Recreation.

The rest are Youth in Conflict Prevention and Peace Building and National Youth Week.