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On 10 February 2026, the Inception Workshop of the project “Empowering Young Emerging Political Leaders in Ghana” took place in Accra, marking the formal launch of a new initiative under the WYDE Political Parties component.

Organised by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Ghana Office, in partnership with the European Union Delegation and ENoP, the workshop brought together young leaders from major political party youth wings, student representative bodies, policymakers and institutional partners to reflect on the state of youth political participation in Ghana.

Addressing structural challenges in Ghana’s political system

At the heart of the discussions was a shared recognition: while young people are increasingly politically engaged, systemic barriers continue to limit their meaningful participation in leadership and decision-making processes.

Contributions during the opening session highlighted the need to address:

• The monetisation of politics and its impact on access to political competition,
• Entrenched hierarchies within party structures,
• Limited mentorship and leadership development pathways for young political actors,
• And broader questions of political ethics and accountability.

Former Speaker of Parliament Prof. Mike Oquaye stressed the importance of structural reform, noting that Ghana’s political system requires a “systemic fix” to tackle the growing monetisation of politics. He urged young people to enter political life with a focus on service and integrity rather than financial gain — a message that resonated strongly during the discussions and was later reflected in national media coverage.

Youth perspectives from within party structures

The panel discussion on “Young Emerging Political Leadership in Ghana: Perspectives and Experiences” provided space for youth representatives to speak candidly about their realities inside party structures.

Participants discussed:

• Financial constraints that hinder youth candidacy,
• Generational divides in leadership,
• The need for skills development in communication, policy analysis and media engagement,
• And the importance of cross-party dialogue to build trust and shared democratic norms.

The exchanges reflected both frustration and determination: frustration with structural limitations, but also a strong commitment to reforming political culture from within.

A structured path forward

The project now moves into its implementation phase, rolling out:

• Leadership and communication training sessions,
• Policy and advocacy workshops,
• Financial literacy modules,
• And a mentorship programme connecting youth leaders with experienced political actors.

The initiative will culminate in a National Youth Political Leadership Forum, designed as a platform for dialogue, policy reflection and inter-party engagement.

Strengthening inclusive political participation

The Inception Workshop signals a renewed commitment to strengthening inclusive and accountable political participation in Ghana. Rather than focusing on short-term mobilisation, the project aims to build sustained leadership capacity and foster a political culture grounded in service, integrity and representation. As Ghana continues to reflect on the future of its democratic system, young leaders are positioning themselves not as observers, but as active contributors to reform and renewal.

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