AYSD’s Stand on Ghana’s 2025 Budget: A Call for Youth-Centered Sustainable Development

By Samuel Apeti, President of African Youth for Sustainable Development (AYSD)

As Ghana continues its journey toward national growth and economic recovery, the 2025 National Budget presented to Parliament is a critical tool that will shape the trajectory of development in the coming year. The African Youth for Sustainable Development (AYSD), as a youth-led organization committed to empowering young people and promoting sustainable development, has carefully analyzed the budget and wishes to share our official position and recommendations.

The Need for Youth-Centered Policies and Budget Allocations

First and foremost, AYSD acknowledges the efforts of the government to stabilize the economy and improve key sectors such as education, health, and agriculture. However, as an organization that works closely with youth across Ghana and Africa, we are concerned that youth development and empowerment remain underfunded and under-prioritized in the 2025 budget.

Youth account for over 57% of Ghana’s population, and yet, budget allocations directly targeting youth entrepreneurship, job creation, and innovation are minimal compared to the scale of the unemployment crisis. Without deliberate investment in youth-led enterprises, vocational training, and sustainable entrepreneurship, we risk missing the opportunity to harness the demographic dividend that Ghana’s young population represents.

AYSD’s Key Concerns and Recommendations

1. Limited Allocation for Youth Empowerment Initiatives:
   While programs like NEIP and YEA are mentioned, the funding allocation is inadequate to address the growing unemployment rate among graduates and artisans. AYSD calls for a significant increase in funding for youth-led entrepreneurship initiatives, especially in emerging sectors like green energy, agriculture, and technology.

2. Neglect of Environmental and Climate Change Programs Involving Youth:
   Ghana’s 2025 budget makes reference to environmental protection, but there is little focus on engaging young people in climate action and sustainability programs. AYSD urges the government to invest in youth-led climate action initiatives, including afforestation, waste management, and renewable energy projects.

3. Insufficient Support for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (c):
   AYSD has consistently advocated for practical and skills-based training to prepare youth for modern job markets. We recommend that a larger share of the education budget be directed towards expanding and modernizing TVET centers, especially in rural areas.

4. Health and Mental Wellbeing of Youth:
   The budget highlights health improvements but does not adequately address youth-specific health concerns, including mental health, sexual and reproductive health, and substance abuse prevention. AYSD calls for special allocations to youth-friendly health services to ensure the wellbeing of young Ghanaians.

A Call for National Dialogue and Inclusion

In speaking with Samuel Apeti, President of AYSD, he emphasized:

"The 2025 budget, though ambitious in scope, falls short of addressing the real needs of the youth in Ghana. Young people are not just beneficiaries — they are the drivers of innovation and national development. Without deliberate investments in youth-led solutions, Ghana’s sustainable development goals will remain unattainable. AYSD calls on the government to open dialogue with youth organizations like ours to ensure that future budgets reflect the aspirations and potential of young Ghanaians."

Conclusion: AYSD’s Commitment to Partnering for Change

AYSD remains committed to working hand-in-hand with government agencies, development partners, and the private sector to create platforms that empower young people to contribute to national development. We call on the government to review and adjust the budget to prioritize youth needs in entrepreneurship, education, climate action, and health.

As the voice of African youth, AYSD will continue to advocate for inclusive, youth-focused development and remains ready to collaborate in building a prosperous, sustainable Ghana.