In its commitment to amplifying youth voices in Ghana’s educational response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Youth on Board project, an initiative by YOTA in collaboration with 100% for the Children, and funded by the Danish Civil Society for Development Fund (CISU), is set to launch its flagship Ghana Youth Barometer report at the upcoming Youth Development Dialogue on August 8, 2024.
The Ghana Youth Barometer, a comprehensive study examining the perceptions of young Ghanaians regarding their education, preparedness, and confidence about their future, is the result of dedicated efforts by 32 youths, with two representing each of Ghana’s 16 regions. These youths, primarily members of the Voices of Youth Coalition—a network actively involved in youth development and advocacy—underwent a rigorous two-day Youth Researchers’ Training Workshop. This workshop equipped them with skills in collecting high-quality, nationally reliable data, covering essential aspects of research such as methodology, community entry, and confidentiality. Armed with this knowledge, these young researchers reached out to both rural and urban communities across all 16 regions, ensuring a well-rounded representation of Ghanaian youth perspectives.
The forthcoming Youth Development Dialogue and Ghana Youth Barometer launch will convene key institutions and young people to discuss pressing issues affecting the youth and the findings of the Ghana Youth Barometer report. The goal is to pave the way for incorporating youth voices into policy-making decisions regarding Ghana’s education system by the government and development partners.
The Ghana Youth Barometer aims to be a cornerstone for youth advocacy and policy influence in Ghana. It is poised to be a pivotal tool contributing significantly to informed advocacy and policy discussions, ensuring that youth perspectives shape the future of education and development in Ghana. By challenging systems that hinder progress, it promises to bring about transformative results for the betterment of education and the youth in Ghana.
