NDPC, Youth Empowerment Ministry collaborate to mainstream youth into National Development Planning

The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has partnered with the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment to ensure that young people's perspectives and potentials are central to Ghana's Consolidated National Development Plan. The collaboration is part of ongoing stakeholder consultations, with discussions focusing on youth development, skills, employment, values, coordination, and resource optimization.

Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, NDPC Director-General, highlighted the importance of broad-based stakeholder engagement to reflect the realities and aspirations of Ghanaians in the plan, emphasizing the need for long-term thinking beyond electoral cycles.

The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Mr. George Opare Addo, stressed the importance of positioning young people as active participants in national development, rather than mere beneficiaries. He noted that young people make up about 40% of the population and advocated for youth development to be integrated across national policy areas.

Mrs. Emma Ofori Agyemang, Chief Director of the Ministry, welcomed the proposed Joint Technical Working Group between the NDPC and the Ministry, emphasizing the significance of values as a common thread in the discussions. She stressed the need for stronger coordination and evidence-based policy responses to challenges affecting young people, such as substance abuse, employability, volunteerism, and work attitudes.