UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
BY: PROSPER ADANKAI
The National Youth Authority is intensifying efforts to train a new generation of ethical, innovative and community-focused young leaders
through its Youth Leadership Fellowship Programme. The initiative selects one youth leader from each of Ghana’s 261 districts and takes
them through a structured year-long process—including bootcamps, mentorship, community project implementation and policy dialogue.
In the Upper East Region, 21 fellows have been trained in leadership, ethics, digital innovation and civic responsibility, with the National
Youth Authority urging them to build emotional intelligence, consult community opinion leaders, and remain committed to solving local development challenges. The programme aims to support 261 district-level projects nationwide while building a lasting network of
young leaders.
Ghana continues to face complex development challenges that require informed, ethical and innovative leadership. The Youth Leadership
Fellowship—run by the National Youth Authority—responds directly to this need. The programme builds a pipeline of young leaders by offering practical skills, mentorship and support for the design and implementation of 261 district-level community projects. Its overall goal is to cultivate a new generation of leaders who can drive community transformation and contribute to national development. The
fellowship also aims to train 261 youth in leadership and civic engagement, foster a national network of young leaders involved in policy dialogue, and establish a sustainable alumni network committed to long-term impact.
The Head of Programmes at the NAtional Youth Authority, Appiah Kubi noted that beyond technical skills, leadership also required emotional
intelligence — the ability to understand oneself, relate to others, and work effectively with people — which he described as the
foundation of impactful leadership.
The programme is structured into five phases—from induction and residential bootcamps to mentorship, district projects, policy engagements and finally, graduation into the alumni network. The Upper East Regional Director for the National Youth Authority, Francis Takyi-Koranteng urged the fellows to engage their chiefs, queen mothers, Opinion Leaders, assembly members and youth groups when they returned to their districts, saying that effective consultation would ensure their projects addressed real community needs.
The current training in the Upper East Region includes sessions led by consultant Dr. Daniel Ampofo on leadership, ethics, governance,
innovation and communication. He explained that they were developing ethical, forward-thinking leaders who could solve problems in their
communities and contribute meaningfully to the country.
For many participants, the fellowship is both transformative and empowering. A participant, Madam Angelina from the Kassena Nankana West District said that the programme had expanded her confidence and understanding of leadership, and that she was grateful to the NYA for the opportunity.
Hon Michael Ayine from the Bolgatanga Municipality said that the training was practical and inspiring, and that he now felt well-prepared to start a community project that would create real impact.
With mentorship, ongoing guidance, and a focus on community-based solutions, the NYA believes these fellows will become part of a strong national network driving development across Ghana. As the one-year fellowship progresses, each of the 261 fellows will be expected to deliver a project that responds directly to local challenges—from sanitation to education, youth employment and digital inclusion.
