Development of Youth Policy tops NYA/PPAG’s Commemoration of International Youth Day 2022

International Youth day (IYD) is a global celebration commemorated on the 12th of August annually. IYD gives an opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young peoples’ voices, actions and initiatives, as well as their meaningful, universal and equitable engagement. The global theme for this year’s celebration was Intergenerational solidarity: creating a world for all ages.

This year, the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) partnered the National Youth Authority and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to dialogue with about three thousand youth across the country, a move born out of the recognition of the importance of youth participation in political, economic and social life.

The commemoration, held from the 10th – 12th August also saw to the launch of the National Youth Policy. The Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana as a major implementor youth programming and young people’s sexual and reproductive health, made key inputs into the development of the policy.

Day 1 and 2
The first and second days saw the registration of participants, mostly young people and the opening ceremony respectively. In his opening address, the Chief Executive Officer of National Youth Authority, Hon. Pius Enam Hadzide reiterated government’s appreciation of youth issues and its enormous commitment to youth development in Ghana. He encouraged the youth to enhance their capabilities to become job givers rather than job seekers, to contribute to building a resilient economy.

This was followed by a three-phased dialogue session focusing on peace building and security, entrepreneurship as well as cyber security and social media vulnerabilities of the youth.

On peace building and security, the panel (Hon Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings (MP, Korley Klottey Constituency) and Alhassan Shaibu Abu (National Youth Organizer, APC) stressed the need to promote peace, mutual respect and understanding, repair broken relationships and reform institutions and increase in the amount of time and resources devoted towards empowering the youth. The session on entrepreneurship resolved to expand employment opportunities for youth. The youth were implored to pursue opportunities, take risks and responsibilities and create innovations. The session on cyber security and social media vulnerabilities tackled the emergence of modern technologies and the avenues it creates for young people.
Day 3
The PPAG youth team educated participants on Sexual and reproductive Health issues more particularly on teenage pregnancy and STI’s and STD’s prevention. The team also introduced PPAG’s digital health Intervention, YENKASA to the young people.

The event was graced by the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency, Nana Addo-Danquah Akuffo-Addo.