Plan International Ghana a Non-Governmental Organization has launched the Youth Accelerator for Change (YAC) Project, aimed at strengthening young people’s role in decision making processes at Local, National, and Global levels.
The three-year initiative project will directly reach 24 youth led advocacy groups, 18 youth led social enterprises, and 6 individual youth advocates under the Global Youth Advocacy component, with indirect reach to more than 2,100 people.
The initiative responds to persistent barriers faced by youth, including limited access to funding, restricted civic spaces, and the frequent exclusion of youth led solutions from formal systems.
The YAC Project builds on the foundation of the She Leads Project, expanding its focus to create an ecosystem where young people are not just beneficiaries but leaders, innovators, and drivers of change.
Acting Country Director of Plan International Ghana, Frederick Tei-Nobi, pointed out that
when young people are empowered, communities are stronger, systems are more inclusive, and development becomes more sustainable.
“The Youth Accelerator for Change reflects our shared belief that young people are not just participants in development but leaders, innovators, and powerful agents of change within their communities and beyond. The success of the YAC Project depends on all of us, government institutions, civil society, community leaders, development partners, and the private sector”.
He added “I encourage all of us to remain committed to opening up spaces for young people, listening to their voices, and supporting their ideas.”
Project Manager, Joyce Obenewaa Darko, explained that implementation will take place in Accra, Ho, Hohoe, and Jasikan.
The Interventions will address sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), leadership, gender-based violence, technology facilitated gender-based violence, climate change, teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and livelihoods.
She further noted that the project will operate through three interconnected pathways;
First, Global Youth Ambassadors- Each year, selected youth advocates will participate in international forums, including the UN General Assembly, Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Commission on Population and Development (CPD), COP climate conferences, and the UN Human Rights Council.
Secondly, Youth Leadership and Advocacy- the project would strengthen youth led groups, networks, and movements, including those led by young women, girls, and youth with disabilities, to organize and engage policymakers at community and national levels.
On the third phase on Social enterprising- young social entrepreneurs tackling challenges such as unemployment, environmental sustainability, and social justice will receive funding, mentorship, and technical support.
Youth Engagement Lead at Plan International Netherlands, Sanne Nagelhout, noted that YAC is part of a wider global movement.
The Youth Ambassadors Programme has been launched across nine countries in its first year- Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Jordan, Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Ecuador.
Funding is provided by Plan Netherlands, Plan Denmark, Plan Norway, and the Global Girls Foundation.
The event launched in Accra, brought together government representatives, civil society organizations, youth led groups, and other stakeholders who are central to the project’s vision.
