The 2025 Commonwealth Day celebrations in Ghana were marked by an engaging Virtual Youth Forum and Panel Discussion under the theme “Together We Thrive: Harnessing Collaboration for Nation-Building – The Role of Youth in an Inclusive Democratic Society.” This initiative, spearheaded by the Parliament of Ghana under the auspices of the Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, brought together student parliamentarians, youth groups, and key stakeholders to discuss the pressing issue of youth inclusion in governance.
The forum featured distinguished speakers, including Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey; Samuel Awuku, MP for Akuapem North; Sammy Obeng of PN Africa; Herbert Appiatu, the Southern Student Speaker; and Adiyone Ida Alira, the Northern Student Speaker. These personalities shared insightful commentary on how to bridge the gap between governance and youth engagement in Ghana.
Youth and Decision-Making: A Forgotten Demographic?
One of the dominant discussions revolved around the role of young people in Ghana’s governance. Historically, youth participation has been limited to election periods, where they serve as campaign mobilizers and grassroots supporters. However, after the elections, they are often sidelined from the very governance structures they helped shape. This cycle has led to growing disenchantment among young people, particularly with the advent of Generation Z, who are more vocal and technologically adept than previous generations.
Challenges Facing Ghanaian Youth in Governance
The youth face numerous barriers when it comes to decision-making and governance participation. Among the major challenges highlighted were:
• Generational Barriers – Many political and governmental structures are dominated by older generations who often see young people as inexperienced or incapable of contributing meaningfully. This has led to the exclusion of youth from policy-making and leadership positions.
• Limited Access to Political Leaders – Youth engagement with policymakers remains a challenge due to a lack of direct communication channels. Many young people do not have opportunities to interact with their Members of Parliament or government officials.
• Lack of Mentorship and Internships – There are few structured programs where young people can learn governance processes firsthand. Without internship or mentorship programs within Parliament and governmental agencies, many youth remain spectators rather than active participants in national development.
• Stigmatization of TVET and Skills Development – Technical and vocational education is often viewed as a lesser alternative to traditional academic paths, despite its crucial role in national development. Many young people are pushed into fields they have little interest in, limiting their potential and contribution to nation-building.
• Transactional Nature of Youth Voluntarism – Many young people are willing to serve their communities, but financial constraints make voluntarism difficult. Without stipends or allowances, youth participation in governance and civic engagement becomes unsustainable.
Proposed Solutions for Youth Inclusion in Governance
The panelists and youth participants proposed several solutions to enhance youth inclusivity in governance:
• Bridging the Generational Gap – There is a need to foster intergenerational dialogue and mentorship, ensuring that experienced leaders guide and empower young people instead of sidelining them.
• Digital Engagement Between MPs and Youth – One innovative idea suggested was for Members of Parliament to actively engage with their constituents through social media platforms like TikTok, where young people are most active. This would make governance more accessible and relatable.
• Parliamentary Internship and Mentorship Programs – A structured internship program should be introduced within Parliament, allowing young people to learn the workings of governance firsthand. To support this, financial allowances similar to the National Service Scheme should be provided to ensure accessibility for all youth, regardless of financial background.
• Youth Desk in Every Ministry – A Youth Bill should be passed to ensure that every government ministry has a youth desk. This would serve as a direct channel for young people to express their concerns and contribute to policymaking.
• Virtual Reality in Parliamentary Proceedings – To enhance transparency and youth engagement, the idea of incorporating virtual reality technology was suggested. This would allow young people across the country, especially those in remote areas, to experience parliamentary proceedings and understand governance processes better.
• De-stigmatizing TVET and Skills Training – More efforts should be made to promote Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a viable career path. Policies should be enacted to ensure students pursue fields of their choice, maximizing their potential for national development.
• Funding for Youth Voluntarism and Skills Development – To support youth-led initiatives, the government should introduce funding schemes to assist young people in their voluntary and skill-building endeavors. This would empower them to take on leadership roles within their communities.
Conclusion
The 2025 Commonwealth Day celebration was more than just an event—it was a call to action for Ghana’s leaders to rethink youth participation in governance. The discussions highlighted the urgent need for a shift from mere tokenism to meaningful youth engagement.
As Ghana continues to navigate its democratic journey, it is crucial that the voices of young people are not only heard but actively included in decision-making. Only through collaborative efforts and intentional policies can the nation truly thrive together.
"Together We Thrive"—but only if the youth are given a seat at the table.