Nyansapo Fellowship targets young policy advocates for Ghana’s development

The Institute for Liberty and Economic Education (ILEE) Policy Institute has recently initiated the 2026 Nyansapo Fellowship, a program designed to empower young Ghanaians with essential skills in policy analysis, advocacy, and economic development. The fellowship's aim is to address the disparity between academic education and practical policy engagement, by providing participants with training in policy evaluation, legal reasoning, media engagement, and market-based economic principles.

Founding President Eric Coffie of the ILEE Policy Institute revealed that the program was conceived to inspire more young individuals to actively engage in policy analysis and matters related to national development. The fellowship will concentrate on uncovering regulatory and policy barriers that might hinder entrepreneurship and economic activity. Participants will be equipped with the necessary skills to evaluate and advocate for policy reforms.

Coffie emphasized that the fellowship is primarily about policy analysis, promoting human rights, advancing free-market principles, and fostering a culture of evidence-based decision-making. He argued that Ghana requires more young people who understand policy issues, as it is essential to integrate more individuals into the policy analysis process, rather than relying solely on a select group of experts.

The programme's initial focus will be on university students, with plans to extend its reach to other educational institutions in future editions. Vice President of IMANI Africa, lawyer Kofi Bentil, discussed the fellowship's focus on human rights and freedom of expression. Bentil argued that while individuals must be answerable for their speech, the state should exercise caution when employing its powers to suppress expression, citing that only criminal speech warrants legal intervention.

He also highlighted that individuals have legal avenues available to seek redress for insults, stressing that freedom of expression is crucial for a society that encourages free thought and engagement.

Bentil also commented on the enhancement of public transportation, particularly the use of dedicated bus lanes and police escorts for Ayalolo buses. He described dedicated bus lanes as a component of contemporary public transport systems and advocated for prioritizing public buses, which could benefit a larger number of commuters.

Bentil argued that, in a well-functioning society, a bus carrying 50 people should take precedence over a single individual driving their car. He urged the government to continue efforts to improve public transportation and ensure the efficient functioning of dedicated bus lanes.

Former Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) journalist Conrad Kakraba highlighted that the fellowship also focuses on equipping participants with practical skills required to transform policy ideas into practical proposals and communicate them effectively. Participants are being trained to develop policy briefs, move from theoretical concepts to evidence-based recommendations, and devise strategies for advocating their proposals.

Kakraba stated that the program aims to equip participants with the foundational knowledge of policy development and advocacy, transforming abstract policy ideas into actionable steps for a better Ghana.