BY: Moses Kanduri – NDC New York City University of New York (KCC) Moskandi1@yahoo.com

Youth participation has become a catchphrase and one of the key slogans in development efforts worldwide. However, the lack of coherent theological base and absence of shared conceptual framework makes it difficult to develop strategies aimed at the participation by youth to access outcomes. This article explores key concepts contained within the contemporary dialogue and barriers to youth participation. It contributes to debate by exploiting ways the Ghana government can stimulate youth participation and improve its quality of youth approach.

Youth have too often been seen as a burden rather than an asset, a group to be taught but not to teach, and to receive but not to give. Yet this is a view we simply can’t afford to have! Young people are in fact an ever-growing demographic force: half of the world’s population is under 25. In the developing world, where more than 80% of young people are currently living, youth constitute up to 70% of a nation's population.

To state that youth are the future of Ghana would be stating the obvious. The Youth can play an important role in shaping their societies, Ghana. One sure way that youth can be mobilized and engaged in activities in the community, Regional and National level is by building on and promoting a culture of community involvement, social and policy advocacy.

Young people’s contributions to their communities and nations are not entirely understood or maximized. Youth are making a difference as activists, and leaders in community development. Yet there is an evident lack of inclusive participation and active engagement of and by young people in this important process of building community consciousness. It is unfortunate that over the years, avenues available for Ghanaian youth to participate in the campaign for good governance are either limited or simply not there.

“Youth are a positive force in society and have enormous potentials for contributing to the development and advancement of societies (Lisbon declaration on Youth policy)”. This vision has generated a flurry of activities (some more effective than others) from inviting young people to serve on boards to establishing community service programs, youth leadership programs and youth forums to supporting youth initiated activities.

It is obvious that, the vision of the youth participation has been at the heart of President Mill’s government with facts from his appointments of young people to serve in his administration. However, the challenge for the youth is to push the frontiers of discussion to another level. The effectiveness of our strategies and tools should have a visible impact in our country (Ghana) and in different communities that makes up our society.

The truth is that in spite of recent changes, the appointments of young people like, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Hon. Huruna Iddrisu, Hon. Zita, Hon Samuel Okujato, and many others that have created opportunities for young people to participate, the idea of inviting the youth to sit at the table is not one that all people embrace. For example, adults frequently sit down to discuss young people without even questioning why youth are not part of discussion. Entire conferences are focused around issues, where not one young person speaks, sits on a panel, or leads a workshop. Often young people are not even invited to attend.

Therefore, there is opportune for us to be more evaluative and ask; how effective (or not effective) is our country in enhancing the full citizenship of young people? How then can we build a national consensus to achieve greater youth participation?

Youth participation has become a rallying cry across the world. Young people must have a voice! The youth should be empowered to determine own destiny! Youth are resources! Young women and men should be given opportunities to make their contributions! We must build a stronger partnership between the youth and adults! We must empower the youth through a united umbrella body, like the Ghana Youth Development Network, it provides a platform for a common youth voice. And that is what should be supported. The ministry should consider working closely with such organizations that have already build a larger network across the country to be able to reach out to others.

What legal framework and innovations have we implemented? Is our youth policy that we have cried for in the past years understood, and do we think its implementation will be will make youth participation effective? Do we have progressive policies in areas such as voting and youth representation in political structures such as parliament? “When discussions are made about their lives or their communities, young people should be there ready o contribute and not as an afterthought” (Hoover & Weisenbach)

Remember our famous anthem: Arise Ghana youth for your country, The nation demand your devotion, so let us all unite!!!!,,,,,,,,