Ashanti Region secures UNFPA support to integrate youth into development planning

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has secured a funding partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to mainstream adolescent and youth-centred programmes into the region's development agenda.

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2025 December 19 . 2:47 PM

1 min read

There is a play area there are total four kids in the image,the first kid is running on the ground... — There is a play area there are total four kids in the image,the first kid is running on the ground there are small steps made up of cement and they are colored in black and white,around the ground there is a building it looks like a school.

Ashanti Region secures UNFPA support to integrate youth into development planning

A new initiative in the Ashanti Region is giving young people a direct role in shaping local development plans. The project, backed by regional authorities and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), will integrate youth priorities into the region’s Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP).

The effort began after Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene secured funding from UNFPA. This partnership aims to ensure that young people’s needs and concerns are included in the region’s planning process.

Youth representatives from four districts—Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Kwadaso Municipality, Atwima Nwabiagya Municipal Assembly, and Ahafo Ano South East District—submitted formal proposals. These documents outline key areas where they believe support and intervention are most needed over the coming years. The National Youth Authority is overseeing the process, guiding how these proposals will be incorporated. Once finalised, the recommendations will feed into each district’s Medium-Term Development Plan before being merged into the broader Regional Integrated MTDP. Beyond planning, the initiative also seeks to empower young people to monitor and influence how development projects are carried out across the region. The identities of the youth representatives involved, however, have not been made public.

The proposals will now be reviewed and embedded into district and regional plans. This marks the first time youth input will be formally included in the Ashanti Region’s development strategy. The process is expected to set a precedent for future participatory planning efforts.