Youth Must Be Integral to Planning for Sustainable Development, Ashanti RDPO

Youth Must Be Integral to Planning for Sustainable Development, Ashanti RDPO

From Ernest Best Anane, Kumasi

Mrs. Beatrice K. Osei‑Asare, Ashanti Regional Development Planning Officer (RDPO), has called on policymakers to place the youth at the heart of the region’s planning processes, warning that excluding them jeopardizes the sustainability of development programmes.

Speaking at the “Our District, Our Development” proposals sensitization programme in Kumasi, an event organized by the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Mrs. Osei‑Asare said the youth constitute the majority of the population and are essential to achieving lasting development outcomes.

According to her, leaving them out of the planning and implementation stages is a neglect of the larger population and undermines the sustainability of our programmes.

The forum, held in line with the regional minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene’s commitment to adolescent and youth empowerment, also featured the UNFPA Deputy Country Representative, who echoed the call for greater youth involvement.

According to Deputy Representative, the Regional Coordinating Council have the first opportunity to involve the youth, who are the future of the country, in shaping the medium‑term development agenda.

Mrs. Osei‑Asare outlined that the initiative seeks to integrate youth‑generated proposals into the medium‑term development plans of participating Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

She indicated that four MMDAs which includes the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kwadaso Municipal Assembly, Ahafo Ano South East District Assembly and Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipal Assembly are already piloting youth councils, while others will be supported to establish similar structures.

The RDPO highlighted additional challenges that the youth face, including a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and limited access to agricultural extension services. And that brought together stakeholders to fuse the proposals developed by the youth into district plans, ensuring that their priorities are reflected and followed through.

Dr. Amoakohene reiterated the regional government’s dedication to the UNFPA‑backed programme, which aims to strengthen youth participation across the four target MMDAs.

He urged traditional leaders and community members to act as watchdogs, safeguarding projects and encouraging local employment during construction.

He pledge from participants to support the implementation of the youth‑driven proposals, reinforcing the message that inclusive planning is vital for the region’s economic growth, food security and sustainable development.