The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), in collaboration with the Youth Bridge Foundation (YBF), has launched the “Youth Speaks Forum,” an initiative aimed at stimulating the interest of Ghanaian youth in national politics and governance processes.
Themed ‘Engendering National and Local Level Conversations on Youth Issues ahead of Ghana’s 2020 Elections,’ the Youth Speaks Forums seek to promote dialogue between political actors and the youth, and serve as a platform on which the youth can provide critical feedback on political parties’ policies and programs towards their development.
Bemoaning the low level of political and civic participation among the youth, Regina Oforiwa Amanfo, Senior Programs Officer at CDD-Ghana said the Forums are in line with the Center’s continual advocacy for the inclusion and effective engagement of the youth in governance processes.
“Ghana’s youthful population can be an asset for the nation if the enormous abilities and intellect of the youth are channeled towards national development,” she said. “Unfortunately, the youth have very limited opportunities to engage in governance processes beyond the exercise of their franchise.”
Debuting in the Northern Region, the Youth Speaks Forums will be held in the capital towns of all 16 Regions of Ghana and aired live on radio between July 7 and August 24. At the Forums, various political parties will highlight the policies and programs for youth development outlined in their manifestos, after which the youth will have the opportunity to interrogate these policies and highlight what they consider to be the most important issues that political parties should pay attention to.
The Youth Speaks Forums form part of CDD-Ghana’s “Electoral Support Project” which has been made possible by the generous support of the United State Agency for International Development (USAID-Ghana).
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