Minister George Opare Addo Mandates Transparency in Youth Programmes at Inaugural National Youth Forum

The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has issued a directive to agency CEOs within his ministry to publish comprehensive data on all youth intervention programmes. Speaking at the National Youth Forum 2026 held on Wednesday, August 19, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), the Minister emphasized that transparency is vital for young Ghanaians to track the usage of public funds. The move follows a formal request from Sherif Ghali, President of the Ghana Youth Federation, for the public disclosure of beneficiary lists for initiatives such as the Adwumawura Initiative and the National Apprenticeship Programme.

Under the theme ‐A Sound Youth, A Sound Nation: Your Voice. Your Future. Our Ghana,‑ the forum served as a major platform for young people—who represent over 70% of the population under 35—to engage directly with policymakers. Minister Opare Addo reaffirmed the commitment of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration to prioritizing youth needs through the newly established dedicated ministry. The forum focused on addressing critical challenges in youth employment, entrepreneurship, and skills development, with the government pledging to transform the concerns and practical ideas shared by participants into actionable national policy.

While the government intensifies its focus on youth and social development, other policy initiatives are facing scrutiny. The Centre for Policy Scrutiny recently questioned the rollout of the 24-hour market initiative, with Dr. Adu Owusu Sarkodie arguing that the government must address domestic production needs before expanding market hours to avoid simply facilitating the sale of imported goods. Concurrently, the transport sector is seeing significant changes with the passage of the Road Traffic Amendment Bill, 2025. Although commercial drivers in Kumasi have expressed support for the new safety regulations, they have called for extensive public education and fair enforcement to ensure compliance.

These administrative efforts, which also include plans by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to introduce high-security vehicle license plates in 2026, signal a broad push for modernization and accountability under the current administration. Minister Opare Addo concluded the forum by urging the youth to take an active role in their development by acquiring new skills and collaborating with stakeholders. He assured the public that the National Youth Forum would remain a starting point for a continuous, responsive dialogue between the government and the young people who are essential to Ghana's long-term economic growth.