Thread:Youth policy advocacy (28)

First appologies for non-contribution since the online discussions and training started. I have either been traveling or sick. My name is Simon and I work for Abusua FOundation based out in Cape Coast Ghana. Following the discussion, I can say that Ghanaian Youth have had a very difficult climate to positively get their voices heard in the development of the youth policy. After over a decade the policy was launch in August 2010 during the world youth day. The policy had no action plan, neither did it have a budget. So we do not know how it will be implemented, how mauch it will cost among others.

The NYC and the sector ministry promised that the concerns raised will be addressed in 2weeks and 6months has since passed.

How is the youth policy advocated? In Ghana, my experience has been that the policy issues have been carried by civil society rather than government.

Advocacy: the advocacy for and of the policy has been limited to Accra the Capital. And the key discussants have been politicians. Which means that the people that really work with and for youth are largely ignored or just heard locally. As the case has been, local advocacy in Ghana does not count if your voice is not heard in Accra.

What has been my experience? I use facebook and a media tool for scope and reach. I have used my space on the social network to point, support, criticise on issues that concern youth. So have I posted opportunities that target young people