Empowering Youth: World Vision and Ministry Join Forces
By Vivian Adu, Communications Officer
World Vision Ghana has paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare-Addo, to discuss potential collaborations to promote youth development initiatives nationwide.
The meeting, which took place the Ministry’s office in Accra, brought together key officials from both World Vision and agencies under the Youth Ministry, including the National Youth Authority (NYA) and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA).
During the meeting, World Vision Ghana’s Interim National Director, Jean-Claude Mukadi, presented an overview of the organisation’s work in the areas of WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), child protection, health and nutrition, and economic empowerment.
He emphasised the importance of equipping young people with the tools and resources they need to thrive, and noted the potential for synergy between World Vision’s community-based programmes and the Ministry’s national policies.
Joshua Baidoo, Director of Strategy and Integrated Programmes at World Vision Ghana, provided insights into the organisation's Savings for Transformation model, emphasising the importance of supporting teacher training and skills development to improve youth employability.
In response, George Opare-Addo outlined the Ministry’s core mandate of creating sustainable employment opportunities for Ghanaian youth through a series of strategic models. These include graduate and corporate support schemes, skills development with on-the-job allowances, and a proposed 'Work Abroad' programme aimed at creating opportunities abroad.
Osman Abdulai Ayariga, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), detailed the Authority’s focus on youth patriotism, leadership development and technical training, especially for school dropouts. He also highlighted the National Apprenticeship Programme, which has received over 120,000 applications and aims to provide training for 10,000 young people across 26 districts. Stipends will be provided for each trainee.
The Hon. Opare-Addo also emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to tackling critical social issues such as drug abuse, as demonstrated by initiatives like the “Red Means Stop” campaign. Other priorities include health and wellbeing, digital skills training, and social inclusion. He noted that at least 40% of programme participation should be allocated to young women and at least 5% to persons with disabilities.
Both World Vision Ghana and the Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment have expressed interest in continuing the dialogue and forming a partnership to ensure long-term, inclusive and transformative solutions for Ghana’s youth.
