(VIDEO) Stakeholders Raise Alarm Over Declining Youth Financing at National Dialogue
Parliamentary committee members and civil society advocates urge Ghana's government to increase funding for YEA, NYA, and TVET programs.
- Participants warn that funding for state youth agencies like YEA and NYA is steadily falling behind needs.
- Lawmakers call for targeted policy frameworks and the timely release of statutory funds.
- Experts and MPs emphasize technical and vocational training as the central pillar for tackling youth unemployment.
Participants at a National Dialogue on Youth Financing in Ghana have voiced strong concerns over shrinking public funding and investment allocated to national youth development programs.
Organized by YEFL in partnership with Parliament’s Committee on Youth and Sports, the dialogue highlighted funding drops affecting key state vehicles, including the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and the National Youth Authority (NYA). Attendees called on the government to urgently scale up financial commitments to accelerate youth development across the country.
Speaking to the media, the Member of Parliament for Oforikrom and Deputy Minority Ranking Member of the Committee on Youth and Sports advocated for targeted youth policies and the prompt release of statutory funds meant for youth initiatives.
Echoing these calls, Hon. Sulemana Adama, MP for Tain and committee member, emphasized that the outlook for young Ghanaians remains promising if actionable solutions are prioritized, identifying Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a vital driver for sustainable job creation.
“Investment in youth empowerment by government compared to the high youth unemployment is generally low and must be improved upon by government to ensure progress,” noted Abdul Ganiyu Alhassan, Technical Advisor for Youth Advocacy and Gender.
Participants concluded the dialogue by pressing policymakers to align national budget allocations with the growing demographic needs of Ghana’s youth population.
From Martin Kwabena Ahwireng Quaye
