Youth Leaders Present Conakry Declaration to Government

Two young Ghanaian leaders have delivered a powerful message to government, presenting the Conakry Youth Declaration to the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Lawyer George Opare-Addo, in a move described as historic for Africa’s youth voice in governance.

The Declaration, developed during a week-long regional youth forum in Conakry, Guinea, brought together representatives from 15 West and Central African countries under the theme “The Role of Youth in the Sustainable Development Process: Participation, Challenges and Perspectives.”

Benedicta, a member of Plan International Ghana’s Youth Advisory Panel, and Shirley, from the Plan International Ghana Alumni Network, handed over the document on behalf of thousands of young people across the continent.

“This Declaration makes it clear that young people must not only be seen but meaningfully included in shaping policies, accessing opportunities, and driving sustainable change,” Benedicta said after the presentation.

Shirley emphasized the urgency of action, stating that the Declaration is not just a piece of paper but a collective demand for meaningful progress on education, jobs, health, governance, and climate justice. She added that young people are ready to partner with government to make this vision real.

The Conakry Declaration highlights several priority areas for Africa’s youth. In governance, it calls for at least 30 percent representation of young people in all decision-making bodies at local, national, and regional levels, along with the establishment of permanent frameworks for dialogue between youth and state institutions. On education, it demands reforms that align school systems with labor market needs, a significant increase in national education budgets, inclusive policies for young people with disabilities, and the integration of both comprehensive sexuality education and financial literacy into school curricula.

In the area of employment and entrepreneurship, the Declaration urges governments to remove barriers to jobs by reducing excessive work-experience requirements, while also creating easier access to funds for youth-led businesses and reducing taxes on young entrepreneurs. On health and well-being, it demands tax exemptions on menstrual health products to ensure dignity and equity for girls, stronger mental health support in schools and communities, and strict enforcement of laws against female genital mutilation, child marriage, and teenage pregnancy.

The Declaration also underscores the urgency of environmental and climate action. It calls for the inclusion of environmental and sustainable development education in schools, support for youth-led initiatives such as reforestation, recycling, and renewable energy projects, and the creation of more green spaces in both rural and urban communities.

Receiving the Declaration, Minister Opare-Addo commended the youth for their bold vision. “This statement challenges us as leaders. We remain committed to placing youth at the heart of national development, ensuring your voices shape the future of Ghana and the continent,” he said.

Also present at the meeting was the Deputy CEO for Operations and Programs at the National Youth Authority, Alhaji Inusah Mahama, who noted that the Authority has a mandate to drive youth development in Ghana and expressed optimism that, through collective effort, government, civil society, and young people can work together to address the demands outlined in the Declaration.

The youth delegation was led by Plan International Ghana’s Country Director, Constant Tchona, who stressed that the Declaration is a historic roadmap for governments to act on. “At Plan International, we believe youth should not just be consulted but be at the decision-making table. The Conakry Declaration is a historic roadmap for governments to act on, and we are proud Ghana’s youth are championing it,” he said.

The Declaration concludes with a powerful message: “Our commitment is total, our voice is strong, our future is now.”