Liberal Youth in Ghana – International Political Youth Cooperation and Strategy

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Ghana Office, in cooperation with the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY), set a cornerstone in their cooperation with Ghanas’ young liberals: Two workshops in Accra and Kumasi for the Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Ghana Liberal Students Association (Ghalsa) highlighted achievements and analysed fundamental issues of liberal political youth organizations in Ghana.

The tailor-made 2 day workshops took place subsequent to a week-long training for International Officers and Representatives from liberal African parties, most of them members of the Africa Liberal Network (ALN) and Liberal International (LI). The NPP Youth Wing and Ghalsa, both full members of IFLRY, were given the opportunity to connect with their international umbrella organisation and the project office of Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty (FNF) in Ghana.

The workshops were part of FNFs efforts to promote liberal youth organizations and young liberal leaders in Ghana. The International Federation of Liberal Youth drafted the outline for the workshops coordinated by FNF. Lecturers were Mr Bart Woord (President of IFLRY, Netherlands), Mr Frederik Ferié (Secretary General of IFLRY, Germany) and Ms Naomi Ichihara Røkkum (Vice President of IFLRY, Norway). Members of Ghalsa and the NPP Youth Wing assisted in the organisation. The NPP Director of International Affairs, Charles Owiredu, the NPP’s National Youth Organiser, Anthony Karbo identified participants. The Regional Youth Organiser for the Ashanti Region, Gideon Boako, additionally catered for an impeccable organisation in Kumasi.

Hon. Nana Yaw E. Ofori Kuragu, member of the group of the youngest liberal parliamentarians, the so-called G 11, hosted the workshop in Kumasi and provided encouragement, accommodation and amazing food. Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare chaired the session in Kumasi as the NPP Ashanti Region youth wing’s patron. Kumasi is the capital of the populous Ashanti Region in Ghana, a traditional stronghold of NPP members and voters.

All participants were acquainted with FNF’s work in Ghana, and the foundation’s focal issues. The workshops, which were conducted in a participatory manner, commenced with a sequence of short lectures and introductory games given by Bart, Frederik and Naomi, stressing the role of youth organizations in political parties as well as internal and international strategies for political youth organizations.

The participants completed a detailed SWOT analysis for each of their organisations. As an addendum, an international trade simulation provided valuable insights in the functioning and the governing principles of market economies. Political communication, the naming and the structure of the NPP Youth Wing were discussed along with topics concerning the identity of the group within the party, media involvement and funding. Ghalsa highlighted its unity and strengths, namely their well educated and dedicated members.

Both seminars were followed by evaluations that suggested additional topics for following, similar programs. Local newspapers, TV and radio, as well as publications on the internet, e.g. on facebook covered the events extensively.

The workshops were a success in every respect. They enabled the participants (more than 20 in Accra and around 60 in Kumasi) to capitalise on their strengths when developing and implementing their approaches towards tackling problems they face. Their identification as independent youth organizations within an international framework was strenghtened considerably.

For the lecturers from IFLRY’s executive it was a great opportunity to connect with two of their member organisations and to see how liberal values are championed in West Africa.

The workshops were a remarkable incentive for the NPP Youth Wing and Ghalsa to continue and improve their work. The NPP Youth Wing intends to accelerate its efforts to clearer define its relationship to the mother party. Its standing as the NPP’s youth organization shall be increased through stepping up its political campaign to win votes in the constituencies.

FNF set the base for an intensified cooperation with liberal youths not only in Accra but also in the regions. The IFLRY facilitators were impressed by the determination and persistence of all participants. FNF emphasised its own commitment to continue supporting the liberal youth in Ghana by nominating 12 candidates, drawn from the participants, for a seminar in FNF’s “International Academy for Leadership” in Germany on “Strengthening Political Youth Organizations”.

Uta Staschewski

Program Officer

Ghana

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