Ghana’s national youth sector has taken a major step toward stronger coordination after youth leaders formally validated the 2025 to 2026 National Strategic Action Plan, a roadmap aimed at establishing the Ghana Youth Federation across all districts and regions.
The validation took place at a national consultative forum held at the British Council in Accra. The Ghana Youth Federation, the apex coordinating body mandated under the National Youth Authority Act, secured unanimous endorsement for its strategy to formalise its structures nationwide and strengthen its role in national development.
President of the Federation, Sherif Ghali, said the plan marks a shift from scattered advocacy to unified action, reflecting the collective voice of youth organizations across Ghana.
The meeting featured a detailed presentation on the plan’s seven pillars, including governance reforms, district and regional rollout, digital innovation, health programmes, partnerships, and global learning exchanges. Delegates from major youth groups endorsed the framework without objection.
NYA CEO: Ghana Lost Opportunities Without the Federation
In a wide-ranging address, the Chief Executive of the National Youth Authority, Osman Ayariga, gave his strongest public backing yet to the establishment of the Ghana Youth Federation. He told youth leaders that Ghana “lost many opportunities” because the Federation was not operational for nearly a decade despite being mandated by law.
He said the Federation is not intended to weaken any youth organisation, but to strengthen all groups by unifying them under a structure recognised by the state and international partners.
Mr Ayariga stressed:
- Ghana is one of the few countries with a statutory youth authority fully funded by government, but the Act also requires an independent youth federation to represent young people without political influence.
- Past administrations feared the independent nature of the Federation, delaying its formation for nine years.
- The absence of the Federation led to lost seats on national decision-making bodies, reduced visibility in global forums and missed funding opportunities that were diverted to individuals posing as youth organisations.
He urged all youth groups to join the Federation, saying a unified front would make it impossible for any government to ignore the youth constituency.
“The moment all of you come under one umbrella, no government can govern without the endorsement and collaboration of the Youth Federation,” he told delegates.
Mr Ayariga added that the National Youth Authority stands ready to support the Federation “always,” saying the right structures must be put in place even if youth activism puts pressure on government.
Government Pledges Full Support
Mr Ayariga said the government is committed to the Federation’s full rollout, adding that NYA’s support is firm and ongoing.
He stressed that the Federation’s establishment is in the interest of national development and youth empowerment, not partisan politics.
Sherif Ghali Calls for Unified Support and Protection of Youth Ministry
GYF President Sherif Ghali used the platform to call on all youth leaders to rally behind the Federation and support the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment. He said Ghana needs a stand-alone youth ministry that is legally protected within the national development architecture so no future government can abolish or merge it.
He urged youth organisations to see the Strategic Action Plan as a shared national project, not a Federation project.
A Strengthened National Youth Voice
The forum ended with consensus that the Federation must be formalised and expanded nationwide to give youth a unified, credible platform for policy influence.
With the newly validated Strategic Action Plan and the NYA’s public endorsement, Ghana’s youth sector enters a new phase of institutional coordination aimed at restoring a long-delayed structure central to Act 939.
The Ghana Youth Federation remains Ghana’s officially recognised youth-led coordinating body mandated to align youth organisations with national development priorities.
