Ghana is one of the countries that have demonstrated commitment to youth development. In fulfilment of a 2008 manifesto promise, the NDC government under President Mills launched the National Youth Policy of Ghana, in August 2010. H.E. President Mahama, who was then Vice President, performed the launch function in Cape Coast.

In 2014, of 198 countries, 121 countries (61%) have a national youth policy, up from 99 (50%) in the previous year. These numbers show that governments are increasingly aware of the need for legal and policy frameworks that respond adequately to young peoples’ needs, aspirations and demands.

Despite these advances and commitments, however, a number of challenges affect the efficiency and inclusiveness of youth policies, from fragmented responsibilities for youth issues and challenged youth participation structures to the lack of reliable knowledge and the absence of appropriate resources.

This week in Baku, Azerbaijan, a program is convened by the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth together with UNDP, UNESCO and the Council of Europe. The 2014 Global Forum on Youth Policies will be hosted by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the Republic of Azerbaijan in the framework of Azerbaijan’s Chairmanship of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.

The first Global Forum on Youth Policies will:

revisit the global blueprint for national youth policies provided by the World Programme of Action for Youth; develop a common understanding of the needs for and rationales of systemic and cross-sectoral approaches to youth policy; build a common understanding of guiding principles for integrated youth policy development.

The Forum will take place between 28 and 30 October 2014 and will bring together 700 youth policy experts—from governments and parliaments, youth networks and movements, research and development communities—at a time when renewed interest in and momentum for youth policies struggles with multiple dilemmas and obstacles.

Ghana is represented at the event by Mr. Ras Mubarak, C.E.O. of the National Youth Authority, Mr. Prosper Yao Hoetu, of YouNET and one of the finest youth development experts from Ghana and Mr. Jahinfo Yussif Abdulai of Gbullung Youth Network.

Visit www.youthpolicyforum.org www.un.org www.nya.gov.gh for further details on the Global Youth Policy Forum. Meanwhile the National Youth Policy Implementation Plan, which was put together by the National Youth Authority in collaboration with MDAs, UN agencies, Youth focused and youth led groups and development partners will be launched in November. A date will be announced soon.

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