NYA and Commonwealth Re-tool Youth Officers for 21st Century Impact

A two-day technical capacity-building workshop jointly organized by the National Youth Authority (NYA) and the Commonwealth Secretariat has commenced in Accra, aimed at retooling Youth Development Officers (YDOs) with contemporary skills to drive the effective implementation of Ghana’s National Youth Policy.

The workshop, themed around strengthening youth mainstreaming and enhancing monitoring and evaluation systems, underscores the shared commitment of both institutions to positioning youth as active partners in national development.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Osman Abdulai Ayariga, Esq., Chief Executive Officer of the NYA, expressed deep appreciation to the Commonwealth Secretariat for its long-standing support of Ghana’s youth agenda. He highlighted the Authority’s renewed focus on translating policy frameworks into measurable impact through the work of its regional and district-level officers, describing them as “the frontline architects of Ghana’s demographic dividend.”

“The National Youth Policy is not just a document; it is our nation’s social contract with its youth,” Mr. Ayariga stated. “But that contract only becomes real through the skill, empathy, and dedication of the Youth Development Officers who engage our young people daily.”

He reaffirmed NYA’s commitment to building a professionalized, well-equipped corps of officers capable of navigating emerging youth issues, including digital transformation, mental health, climate change, and entrepreneurship.

Representing the Commonwealth Secretariat, Mr. Suhil Ram, Advisor for Youth Development, commended the NYA’s leadership and reaffirmed the Secretariat’s commitment to Ghana’s youth sector. He emphasized that the workshop’s focus on youth mainstreaming and monitoring and evaluation would ensure that youth priorities are integrated across all sectors and that data-driven approaches guide interventions.

“Youth are not just beneficiaries of development—they are partners, innovators, and leaders,” he said, urging participants to translate their experience into practical strategies that will make youth policy implementation more effective and impactful.

The Deputy CEO in charge of Operations and Programs, Alhaji Inusah Mahama, commended the visible transformation of the Authority over the past year. He noted that much effort has gone into improving the NYA’s public image, adding that “a comparison between the Authority’s visibility now and in previous years clearly shows that this new administration has placed a premium value on the image of the NYA and worked tirelessly to enhance it.”

The Deputy CEO in charge of Finance and Administration, Mr. Jacob Adongo Atule, encouraged the officers in the various regional and district offices to continuously upgrade their knowledge and performance. He urged them to contribute their time and expertise to strengthening the Authority’s activities, saying their commitment is crucial to sustaining the NYA’s growing impact nationwide.

The day’s sessions, facilitated by Madam Jane Ntiful, Acting Director for Research, Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at NYA, and Archiebald Donkor, provided participants with an in-depth understanding of the National Youth Policy’s objectives, implementation framework, and the evolving Ghanaian youth context. Discussions also explored the practical application of Positive Youth Development and Rights-Based Approaches as part of a broader effort to professionalize youth work in Ghana.

The workshop continues tomorrow with advanced sessions on youth mainstreaming tools, practical case studies, and collaborative planning exercises designed to consolidate a national community of practice among Youth Development Officers.