The Empowering Youth and Women for Active Citizenship and Democracy Project was a peer-to-peer learning initiative aimed at enhancing participation, empowerment, and inclusion of young women and youth in Ghana’s democratic processes. Implemented in Afadzato, South Tongu, and Ho Municipality, with funding from Plan International Ghana, the project focused on civic education, advocacy, and platforms for engagement in the 2023 District Assembly Elections. By collaborating with community-based youth organizations, local assemblies, and the NCCE, it empowered youth and women to understand their civic rights and responsibilities, engage in decision-making, and hold leaders accountable, ensuring stronger grassroots.
Media Engagement (Radio Talk Shows)
- Hosted live radio discussions on youth and women’s participation in democracy and local governance.
- Leveraged digital storytelling, YouTube, and social media campaigns to amplify youth voices.
- Encouraged community interaction through call-ins, live Q&A, and contributions.
- Youth panelists from GRAY Network co-hosted sessions, reinforcing peer-to-peer empowerment.
Peer-to-Peer Capacity Building
- Youth-led training sessions on civic rights, responsibilities, and active citizenship.
- Practical training in digital advocacy (WhatsApp campaigns), policy engagement, lobbying, public speaking, negotiation, campaign management, manifesto writing, and community mobilization.
- Participants were also taken through Ghana’s local governance system — the structure and mandate of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), including how budgets are planned and managed.
Mounting the Platform (Pre-Election Events)
- Organized public forums where aspiring candidates presented manifestos and engaged directly with communities.
- Promoted accountability by spotlighting issues such as education, youth employment, women’s empowerment, road networks, health services, water access, and market development.
Females (102 | 57%)
- 94 adolescent girls
- 262 young women
- 120 adult women
Males (66 | 43%)
- 38 adolescent boys
- 170 young men
- 102 adult men
Stakeholders Engaged: 10
Radio Audience: 5,000+
Direct Reach: 178 participants
Indirect Reach: 5,000+ listeners
- 1,381 youth and 2,542 community members directly engaged.
- 131 young people prepared for the 2023 local governance elections.
- 51 youth filed nominations to contest various positions in the 2023 district assembly elections.
- 27 elected into office (11 Assemblywomen and 16 Assemblymen/Unit Committee representatives).
- Increased community trust and accountability in local governance processes.
- Strengthened collaboration between youth groups, NCCE, and local assemblies for sustained civic engagement.
Young people and women are often excluded from decision-making spaces despite being the majority of Ghana’s population. Strengthening their voice in governance helps bridge the gap between leaders and communities, fosters accountability, and ensures that pressing issues such as education, employment, health, and gender equality are prioritized. Empowering youth and women to participate actively in local governance not only promotes inclusive democracy but also builds future leaders who can sustain positive change in their communities.
“I’m proud to have been elected as the Assemblywoman for Woadze Electoral Area. This project gave me the confidence and skills to campaign effectively and connect with my community. Now, I’m dedicated to driving change and advocating for better services.”
– Vida Zogli, Woadze Electoral Area
“Winning the Assemblywoman seat for Fodome Helu Electoral Area was a dream come true. The leadership training and civic education I received from this initiative prepared me to serve my people and push for much-needed reforms.”
– Marceline Eyram, Fodome Helu Electoral
“Becoming an Assembly Member for Klonu-Dzogborve Electoral Area is a huge responsibility, and I’m ready to lead. The project equipped me with the tools to engage effectively with duty-bearers and drive accountability in governance.”
– Solomon Dzinyator, Klonu-Dzogborve Electoral
“Being part of this initiative empowered me to stand for local elections. I didn’t win, but I gained the confidence to keep advocating for change.”
– Moses Isreal
“I was afraid to contest because I thought the community wouldn’t support a young woman. But through the manifesto-writing and public speaking training, I gained confidence. I contested, and today, I am proud to serve as an assemblywoman, representing the voices of women and youth.”- Praise Liati Teikrom Electoral Area
I learned how to write a manifesto and presented my ideas to my community. Although I wasn’t elected, I now have the skills and confidence to run again in future elections and advocate for youth employment opportunities-Divine,Liati Teikrom Electoral Area
“I used to lack the courage to speak in public. The training in lobbying and negotiation built my confidence. I contested and won as an assemblyman. My first agenda is to push for better roads in my community.” Blismark, Alavanyo Abehenease/Agorxoe Electoral Area
“I used to lack the courage to speak in public. The training in lobbying and negotiation built my confidence. I contested and won as an assemblyman. My first agenda is to push for better roads in my community.”-George Gerhing, Liati Dafonu Electoral Area
Through the WhatsApp advocacy skills, I created a youth group chat where we share civic education messages weekly. Our group now has over 150 active members.” – Simon Helu Electoral Area