Youth

 OVERVIEW 

Data from the 2021 Ghana Population and Housing Census points to a predominantly youthful population, with approximately 11.7 million Ghanaians out of 30.8 million aged between 10 and 35 years. Young people, however, struggle to access jobs, finance, and healthcare. Moreover, they are often exposed to violence and unable to meaningfully advance in their education. 

USAID collaborates with the government, international and local organizations, and civil society groups to support youth advocacy, economic empowerment, health and education access, and inclusion in decision-making. 

USAID's engagement with Ghanaian youth is guided by the USAID Youth in Development Policy to increase the meaningful participation of young people within their communities, schools, organizations, economies, peer groups, and families. This will enhance their skills, provide opportunities, and foster healthy relationships so they may build on their collective leadership.

PROGRAMMATIC FOCUS AND ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE 

ECONOMIC GROWTH 

• Expanding market opportunities and increasing access to agricultural markets by providing financing, business development services, and access to youth-owned agribusinesses. 
• Engaging over 65,000 youth in food security initiatives, significantly contributing to poverty reduction and hunger alleviation and addressing malnutrition within this demographic. 
• Supporting approximately 33,000 youth to access financial resources (micro-finance, group-based savings, or lending programs) empowering them economically. 
• Enrolling nearly 24,000 youth in financial programs, enabling them to diversify their livelihoods, improve their well-being, and manage risks effectively.
• Training over 1,000 youth from coastal communities in alternative livelihoods including electrical installation and repairs, plumbing, garment making, catering, and other trades to improve their income earning options due to dwindling fish stocks. 

EDUCATION 

In the coming year, USAID’s Education Office will focus on: 

• Improving the literacy and numeracy skills of 3,00 youth through accelerated learning programs targeting out-of-school youth. ● Providing 3,000 youth with technical and vocational skills training aligned with local market needs to increase their employability. 
• Engaging with the private sector to identify emerging labor opportunities for youth. 
• Promoting soft skill development among youth by training them on financial management and life planning, positive parenting, and how to interact effectively with others in the workplace. 

HEALTH 

• Broadcasting positive youth health messages on topics such as sexual and reproductive health and family planning, using popular youth television series “You Only Live Once,” and “Lucky Trip.” YOLO has over 11.2 million YouTube views and 3.7 million weekly TV viewers. 
• Facilitating the production of the Healthy and Savvy adolescent radio campaign which broadcasts across 20 community radio stations in 16 languages reaching over 2.5 million youth. 
• Training youth in malaria prevention and mentoring them to lead community talks and door-to-door campaigns reaching nearly 6,000 young people. 
• Providing 11,585 youth with sexual and reproductive health education and over 1,600 youth with family planning services. 

DEMOCRACY, RIGHTS AND GOVERNANCE 

• Empowering youth, women, persons with disabilities and ethnic minorities to vote and engage political actors in governance processes. 
• Facilitating engagements between political parties and youth to ensure that party decision-making addresses their needs and aspirations. 
• Supporting 17 civil society organizations to educate about 2.2 million citizens, including youth, ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities about citizenship rights, including the right to vote and hold political leaders accountable. 
• Training over 200 youth to become peacebuilding agents to support conflict early warning systems and build community resilience against violent extremist influence. 

OBJECTIVES FOR FY 2025 

• Facilitate the growth of youth-owned businesses by providing access to business services and affordable financing, thereby contributing to economic expansion. 
• Enhance the agricultural sector and promote youth participation in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. 
• Support youth to advocate for their families' well-being and their communities' security. 
• End child, early, and forced marriage and unions using social and behavior change interventions to sensitize adolescent girls and young women, boys and young men, community health workers, religious actors and traditional leaders. 
• Increase access to sexual and reproductive health knowledge and services, among adolescents to help reduce unintended pregnancies, enabling them to have autonomy over their reproductive health.