Government Launches Ghana Youth Federation as Statutory Apex Body for All Youth Groups
In a historic milestone for Ghana’s youth, the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment has officially inaugurated the Ghana Youth Federation (GYF) during the National Youth Conference 2025. This landmark event signals a bold step towards unifying the voices of young people and amplifying their role in shaping Ghana’s development agenda.
The Ghana Youth Federation is established under the constitutional recognition of the National Youth Authority (NYA) Act 2016 (Act 939) and the Ghana Youth Policy 2022 to 2032, positioning it as the apex body representing all youth-led and youth-serving organizations nationwide. Its formation fulfills a long-standing promise made to the youth of Ghana—to create a single, coordinated platform that empowers young people to participate fully in policymaking, governance, and socio-economic development.
A Dynamic Leadership Team
At the helm of the Federation’s interim leadership is Mr. Sherif Ghali, a distinguished youth activist and CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs. Widely recognized for his relentless advocacy for youth entrepreneurship and innovation, Mr. Ghali now assumes the role of Interim President of the Ghana Youth Federation.
The diverse interim leadership team includes representatives from several key youth-focused organizations:
- National Network of Youth Groups
- National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS)
- Ghana Girl Guides Association
- Ghana National Catholic Youth Council
- Ghana Federation of the Disabled
Together, this leadership will guide the Federation through its foundational phase, ensuring that its structures, systems, and objectives are solidified before the first democratic elections.
A Call to Unity and Collaboration
In his inaugural remarks, Mr. Sherif Ghali expressed profound gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for honoring his promise to the youth by facilitating the Federation’s establishment.
“Today marks a turning point in Ghana’s history,” Mr. Ghali declared. “The creation of the Ghana Youth Federation is a testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to the voices, dreams, and aspirations of young people. We are deeply grateful to His Excellency the President for delivering on his promise.”
Mr. Ghali emphasized that the Federation is not just another youth association or pressure group, but a transformative platform designed to mobilize, represent, and empower Ghanaian youth.
“This Federation will not be an ordinary group or a pressure organization. It is a unifying force—bringing together young people from every district, region, and sector to speak with one powerful voice. Our mission is clear: to advocate, to create opportunities, and to ensure that no youth in Ghana is left behind.”
He called on all youth, youth-serving agencies, civil society organizations, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to rally behind the Federation and support its mission.
Mandate and Roadmap
The interim leadership has been tasked with implementing a comprehensive roadmap to establish the Federation’s structures nationwide. Key priorities include:
- Setting up district and regional federations to ensure grassroots representation.
- Preparing for a National Youth Conference where Ghana’s first elected youth leaders will be chosen.
- Driving youth inclusion in national policymaking and development planning.
- Strengthening collaboration between youth groups, government, and the private sector.
The Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, in his address, pledged the Ministry’s full support for the Federation’s objectives and called on development partners, international agencies, and corporate institutions to collaborate closely with the Federation.
A Transformative Force
The inauguration of the Ghana Youth Federation represents far more than an administrative milestone—it signals the beginning of a new era of youth empowerment in Ghana. With a unified body at the forefront, Ghana’s young people now have a stronger platform to influence decisions, shape policies, and unlock opportunities for entrepreneurship, education, and innovation.
As the Federation steps confidently onto the national stage, Mr. Ghali assured the youth of Ghana that their voices would be heard:
“This is your Federation, your voice, your future. Together, we can make the Ghana Youth Federation a beacon of hope, a driver of innovation, and a catalyst for progress.”
With this bold vision, the Federation seeks to transform Ghana’s youth landscape, galvanizing collective action and ensuring that young people are not just beneficiaries of development but active architects of the nation’s future.
