Some of the speakers at the event
The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Ghana Office, in partnership with the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP) and the European Union (EU), has launched the Ghana edition of the EU Women and Youth Democratic Engagement (WYDE) Political Parties Project, with a strong call for greater youth inclusion in political leadership.
The inception workshop, held in Accra on February 10, 2026, under the theme “Empowering Young Emerging Political Leaders in Ghana,” brought together political party representatives, civil society actors, diplomats, academics and young political leaders from across the country.
In her welcome address, Anna Lena Sabroso-Wasserfall Country representative of KAS Ghana described the project as timely, noting that it coincides with 60 years of the Foundation’s presence and engagement in Ghana.
The new WYDE Political Parties Project, she explained, builds on that legacy by introducing a structured, multiparty programme developed jointly with the European Union and embedded within a broader regional and continental framework.
She expressed appreciation to the EU for the trust placed in KAS to implement the project in Ghana, describing it as both “an encouragement and a responsibility.”
The initiative seeks to address the persistent underrepresentation of young people and women in political leadership and decision-making.
According to KAS, the project will combine capacity building, targeted mentoring and networking opportunities, while also engaging political parties and institutions to strengthen inclusive and transparent internal structures.
“Sustainable political participation does not emerge from isolated training alone. It requires role models, institutional openness, cross-party exchange, and the opportunity to learn directly from experience,” she stated.
EU Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Skinnebach, emphasised the need to move beyond symbolic youth inclusion.
“If we want strong, inclusive democratic societies whether in Africa or Europe young people must not just be invited to the table; they must be at the very centre of the action,” he said.
The Ambassador noted that while young people in Ghana and around the world care deeply about democracy and their communities, they are often excluded from decision-making processes.
“That has to change,” he stressed.
He referenced the EU Youth Action Plan adopted in 2022, which led to concrete investments including the Women and Youth Democratic Engagement Initiative (WYDE).
The initiative supports women and young people to participate fully in public life as citizens, voters and leaders.
At a practical level, he explained, WYDE supports grassroots organisations and young activists working in areas such as anti-corruption advocacy, election observation, democratic reform and civic education.
“You are not just the future of this country; you are its present,” Ambassador Skinnebach told participants.
“Your ideas, your energy, and your leadership are essential to building the Ghana you want to live in.”
Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, also addressed governance and accountability issues during the event.
Commenting on ongoing allegations within the political space, he cautioned against drawing premature conclusions.
“As a lawyer, I don’t want to rush into conclusions. There is an enquiry put together to look into the matter and impose some sanctions. Let us wait and see what happens,” he said.
However, he stressed that reforms should go beyond individual sanctions.
“I want the whole system to be purified, more than individual sanctioning. We must bring out systems to ensure that it doesn’t happen again,” he added.
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Meanwhile, watch the excitement, divisions over Agradaa’s reduced sentence>
Source:
www.ghanaweb.com
