BACKGROUND YOUTH AND GOVERNANCE FORUM

Ghana’s democratic process has been described in many spheres as a ‘developing democracy’ since the promulgation of the 1992 Constitution.  Successive elections in Ghana have witnessed marginal increase in the numbers of young members in the legislature; however, the active involvement of the Ghanaian youth in national governance (i.e. social, economic and corporate) is yet to be institutionalized. This observation is succinctly expressed in USAID/ Ghana Strategy Statement thus “Ghanaian youth have extremely limited opportunities for education, employment and participation in constructive political and development processes. While Ghana’s youth represent an enormous resource, they are rarely considered as important agents of social and economic transformation” (USAID/Ghana, 2006).

For instance during political campaigns and deliberations, political parties and experts confound the populace and particularly the youth with insider vocabulary and planned activities that can be confusing to many. Generally, the role of the Ghanaian youth has over the years been relegated to emotional appeal to simply vote on specific party lines placing much emphasis on the ‘negatives’ of other political parties. As a result, the youth, more often than not, become instruments of various kinds of carryings-on during elections which sometimes end up in violence.  Recent electoral conflicts that have plagued our African region have seen high youth involvement, raising justifiable concerns.
 
Given the important role of the youth as the future leaders of the country, the need to empower and inculcate in them the act of good governance to ensure active non-violent participation is more urgent today than ever. Admittedly, youth understanding of electoral issues, awareness of planned programme of activities, the importance of non-violent participation and subsequent implications of a peaceful and democratic election on the present and future development of the Ghanaian youth is limited. Not only has the foregoing limitations lingered around the Ghanaian youth for years now, but the continued absence of coordinated youth-focused educational programmes to decode election debates and sensitive them on non-violent participation leaves much to be desired of.

To deepen Ghana’s democratic process and lay a solid foundation for tomorrow’s leaders in governance, the youth cannot be sidelined during election processes. Today's Ghanaian youth will one day lead the country, build our economy, and make decisions that will have an impact in the lives of future generations. Generally, youth can be resilient, resourceful and responsive, and there is a need to encourage and establish mechanisms in Ghana to involve the youth in playing constructive roles in our democratic processes. It is therefore imperative for the Ghanaian youth to learn from the experiences of their international peers and be sensitized on non-violent active participation in the Election 2008.

Appreciating the enormity of the task ahead, Youth Bridge Foundation and Christian Council of Ghana are collaborating to organise a youth-focused Forum on Governance with international youth participation. We are seeking collaboration, technical, financial and logistical support for the program, themed “Youth Facing Election 2008: Crossroad of Challenges and Opportunities.”

It is anticipated that the program will sensitize and initiate a culture that would enhance youth non-violent participation and empowerment in Ghana’s democratic process during Election 2008 and subsequent ones.

 

2.0       AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The primary aim of Youth and Governance Forum, “Youth Facing Election 2008: Crossroad of Challenges and Opportunities” is to stimulate a dialogue on democratic governance issues among the youth by advocating and emphasizing the role they can play in a peaceful election 2008.

The program will seek to achieve the following objectives:
Advocacy

   1. Campaign for an active but non-violent youth participation in Election 2008
   2. To sensitize the youth on the value of a peaceful election in national development and the consequences of a violent election
   3. Advocate for a culture that respects the views of the youth

 

Capacity Building

   1. Create a platform for the youth and Electoral Commission to understand each other’s environment and drivers to be able to build joint solutions in positively engaging the youth.
   2. Build youth knowledge and awareness of identified roles they can play during Election 2008

 

3.0       PROGRAM METHODOLOGY
We intend to implore a combination of the following methodology to help achieve the objectives of the program:

Program Design
The program will be designed to be youth friendly [by contents, participation, presentation, attractive stage/studio design] dynamic [responding to emerging needs].

The following shall constitute key elements of the program:

   1. A well-coordinated Opening Session with Professionals addressing topical issues related to event theme to be followed by interaction with delegates
   2. Hosting of youth delegates from Kenya, USA, Liberia to participate and share practical experiences: country-specific presentations by youth delegates
   3. Documentary of a Ghanaian Peacekeeper’s personal experiences [play back]
   4. Panel Meetings/Syndicate Group Works to brainstorm, address topical issues and report to plenary
   5. Development and issuance of communiqué
   6. Dissemination of voting guide and election 2008 calendar of events
   7. CCG’s Launch of Campaign for the collection of 500,000 signatures nationwide: youth committing themselves to non-violent participation in election 2008
   8. Youth friendly promotion/campaign to disseminate a message on non-violent participation
   9. Creation of blog / e-forum at www.youthbridgefoundation.org for non-derogatory articles, views and concerns of the youth.

 

   1.       TARGET AUDIENCE AND STRATEGIC COLLABORATION

Primary Target
Eligible Ghanaian voters within the ages of Ages 18 to 35 years (Youth Network Platforms)

Secondary Target:      
Youth Wings of Political Parties, civil society organizations and electoral organs

Strategic Collaboration

Having initiated initial discussions on the project concept, strategic collaboration is being established with the following key players:

   1. Electoral Commission (EC)
   2. Electronic Media: Citi FM 97.3 and GTV
   3. National Youth Council
   4. Ministries [ Manpower, Youth and Empowerment / Information and National Orientation]
   5. Civil Society Organizations [CDD, IEA, NUGS, Youth Networks, etc.]
   6. Local and international / resource professionals [Prof. Samuel Ebo Quainoo, USA, etc.]
   7. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, USA (American Youth Group from Faculty of Political Science
   8. Kenyan Youth Networks and Liberian [delegation to share on their experiences”]
   9. Print Media: Daily Graphic, Business and Financial Times


5.0       EXPECTED OUTOME

By the end of the project, the following outcomes are expected:
Advocacy

   1. Eligible youth voters are educated, motivated, and sensitized to actively participate in election 2008 violence free.
   2. Campaign for collection minimum of 500,000 signatures of eligible youth voters committing themselves to non-violent participation in election 2008 initiated.
   3. Youth contribute non-derogatory articles, views and opinions at e-platform
   4. Process initiated for youth to appreciate the value of issue-based voting pattern

Capacity Building

   1. Knowledge acquired by Ghanaian youth on 2008 election processes
   2. Youth appreciate the value of violent-free participation in election 2008
   3. Enhanced interest of the youth in Ghana’s electoral processes

 

6.0       DATE, TIME AND VENUE

Date:               Tuesday July 15, 2008
Time:               8.30am – 3.30pm
Venue:             ALISA Hotel Conference Room, North Ridge, Accra

7.0       EVENT PUBLICITY INCLUDES:

   1. Electronic Media: Radio discussions and event promotion by Partner Station
   2. Print Media: Event promotion by Daily Graphic and Business and Financial Times
   3. Outdoor Banners and Direct event promotion [institutions, churches, etc.]



8.0       FINANCIAL ESTIMATES AND SPONSORSHIP
In anticipation of the high impact and to ensure a professionally organized program, financial, technical and logistical support from public and private institutions would be highly appreciated and acknowledged.

9.0       THE ORGANISERS

The innovative Youth and Governance Forum themed “Youth Facing Election 2008: Crossroad of Challenges and Opportunities” is a collaborative initiative of Youth Bridge Foundation, Christian Council of Ghana, CDD-Ghana (as the Think-Thank), East Stroudsbourg University of Pennsylvania USA (Political Science Department), and Citi FM 97.3 as Key stakeholders. Other credible and resourceful civil society organizations, youth networks, student leaderships (e.g. NUGS) and youth wings of political parties will be invited to make varied inputs.