Celebrating Leadership and Looking Ahead

On 6 August 2026, participants, mentors, facilitators, institutional partners and representatives of the European Union will gather in Accra, Ghana, for the EU WYDE Closing Workshop: “Celebrating and Shaping the Future of Democratic Participation.” Organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Ghana Office within the framework of the WYDE Political Parties project, led by the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP) and funded by the European Union, the event will celebrate the achievements of a new generation of emerging political leaders while reflecting on the programme’s impact and future legacy.

Over the past months, participants have taken part in a comprehensive leadership journey combining three residential trainings and three mentorship breakfast sessions. Throughout the programme, they have strengthened their capacities in democratic leadership, advocacy, policy engagement, communication, professionalism and cross-party dialogue, while building lasting relationships with experienced political leaders, academics and governance practitioners.

The Closing Workshop will provide an opportunity to celebrate these achievements and recognise the commitment of everyone who contributed to the programme’s success. Participants will reflect on their personal and professional development, share lessons learned throughout their six-month journey and discuss how they intend to apply their knowledge and skills to strengthen democratic participation within their communities and institutions.

The programme will feature remarks from representatives of the European Union Delegation, ENoP and KAS Ghana, alongside a documentary presentation highlighting the WYDE journey and a panel discussion entitled “From Agency to Action: Young Leaders Shaping the Future of Democracy,” where graduates will reflect on their experiences and aspirations as emerging leaders. The ceremony will also include the presentation of certificates to participants who successfully completed the programme, recognition of outstanding participants and tributes to the facilitators and mentors whose guidance has been instrumental throughout the project.

Beyond marking the conclusion of the programme in Ghana, the event also looks ahead. It celebrates not only what participants have accomplished over the past months, but also the role they are expected to play as advocates for inclusive political participation and democratic governance in the years to come. By strengthening their leadership capacities and expanding their professional networks, the programme seeks to create lasting impact well beyond the duration of the project.

Through initiatives such as this, the WYDE Political Parties project continues to support democratic development by strengthening political leadership, promoting youth participation in politics and fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange and cooperation between political actors across regions.

Event Details

Event: EU WYDE Closing Workshop
Theme: Celebrating and Shaping the Future of Democratic Participation
Date: 6 August 2026
Time: 08:30 – 12:10
Location: Fiesta Royale Hotel, Accra, Ghana
Organised by: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Ghana Office
Project: WYDE Political Parties – funded by the European Union
Participants: WYDE graduates, representatives of the European Union Delegation, ENoP, KAS Ghana, facilitators, mentors and project partners
Main highlights: Participant reflections, documentary presentation, graduates panel discussion, graduation ceremony, certificates and awards, recognition of mentors and facilitators, networking.