The Youth and Development Policy Implementation in Ghana [Forth Coming

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2012

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Journal of African Development Studies

Abstract

It was the role of the youth to implement development policies formulated by the chief and his council of elders in the traditional and pre-colonial times. After colonialism, various regimes also mobilized the youth as “instruments” for development. In this regard, they made full use of the zeal, potential and enthusiasm of the youth in implementing policies formulated and this translated into tangible developmental outcomes. Using the Development Policy Implementation Scheme of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) as a context; and through relevant official interviews conducted among some key officers of the NDPC, National Youth Council (NYC) and the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) Secretariat, this study analyzes the role of the youth in the implementation of development policies since the inception of Ghana’s Fourth Republic. The paper argues that since 1992, youth participation in the implementation of development policies including programmes intended to benefit them, has been purely accidental. The youth have no formal role in development policy implementation. Even programmes meant for them are implemented by agencies that have no expertise on youth development. Given the grave implications of this for policy implementation and national development, the paper among other things, recommends several strategies aimed at ensuring youth participation in the implementation of development policies in a manner akin to what pertained in pre-colonial times

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Journal of African Development Studies, Forthcoming

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