Funded by the Danish Civil Society in Development Fund, the project was aimed at engendering youth-led strategies for strengthening good governance and sustainable development in Ghana’s fledgling oil economy. We achieved this by building the capacities of local youth for participation in the oil economy in the Western region, by increasing opportunities for youth to contribute to achieving environmentally sound good governance at the local level, and by creating a network of youth who contributed to ensuring that Ghana’s oil remains a booster to national development rather than a source of conflict.

The project targeted 500 young women and men, aged between 18 and 35, in the six districts immediately surrounding the offshore oil exploration activities in the Western region, namely Ahanta West, Ellembele, Jomoro, Nzema East, Shama, and Sekondi-Takoradi. Secondary targets included 10,000 other youth in second cycle and tertiary institutions and those out of school, unemployed, and/or members of local youth groups.

The project strategy included hosting a series of training workshops focusing on the role of youth in oil governance. The workshops equipped young men and women – a traditionally underserved and marginalised group – with the skills necessary to effectively engage themselves in local governance issues. Through these workshops, local youth developed district level action plans which formed the basis of their advocacy.

Using the mediums of community radio, local youth forums, dialogue with local authorities, school based outreach, a Youth Conference on Good Governance in the Oil and Gas Sector, and the creation of Youth Platform on Oil and Gas, the youth participants amplified their voices, affirmed their role as key actors in the oil economy, made policy input, galvanised youth action for the environment, and built partnerships with industry players.