The Programmes Manager of Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica), Mr. Gilbert Borketey Boyefio, has made a clarion call for the urgent inclusion of young people in national governance, describing youth leadership as critical to the sustenance of Ghana’s democratic development.
He made this statement during a public lecture on Youth Leadership and Governance organized by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Students Parliament House.
Addressing a packed auditorium of students, civic leaders, and political stakeholders, Mr. Boyefio expressed concern about the continued underrepresentation of the youth in Ghana’s political space, particularly within parliamentary democracy. He noted that the involvement of young people has often been limited to campaign volunteerism or “foot soldier” roles—sometimes involving thuggery—rather than meaningful participation in decision-making processes.
“This is even more aggravated when you consider young women, who are often restricted to gender-labeled roles such as ‘Women’s Organiser,’ with limited prospects of holding parliamentary positions,” Mr. Boyefio stated.
He described this systemic exclusion as a key driver of apathy and disinterest among the youth in civic and political engagement. According to him, the challenges facing young people—ranging from high financial demands in politics, lack of mentorship, to the absence of youth-friendly policies—have created barriers that prevent a smooth transition from student activism to national political leadership.
PNAfrica, he said, has been working actively to change this narrative by engaging youth-focused groups such as Student Parliaments, GRASAG, POSSA, and female advocacy groups under the Gender Advocacy to Parliament (GAP) initiative. These engagements have revealed a strong eagerness among young people to contribute to governance, but many feel left out due to limited access and knowledge about parliamentary processes.
Highlighting some of PNAfrica’s recent interventions, Mr. Boyefio spoke about the successful organization of the second edition of the National Youth Mock Parliament, which convened representatives from the National Youth Authority’s Youth Parliament, Student Parliaments of the Parliament of Ghana, and other youth groups including YIM.
“The Mock Parliament platform provided youth with an opportunity to voice their views on national issues and demonstrated their readiness to be part of the governance architecture,” he noted.
To sustain this momentum, PNAfrica is also working closely with the Young Parliamentarians Forum and the Women’s Caucus of Parliament, to facilitate mentorship opportunities and knowledge exchange between current lawmakers and aspiring youth leaders.
Looking ahead, Mr. Boyefio outlined PNAfrica’s continued commitment to:
- Refining its programmes to address emerging challenges,
- Expanding outreach to youth from diverse backgrounds, and
- Promoting international collaboration, including adopting best practices such as The Gambia Youth Parliament model.
He concluded with a motivational charge to the students and young leaders in attendance:
“Your potential is limitless. Continue to dream big, innovate, and lead with purpose. Your generation will shape the future, and we are proud to support your journey.”
The public lecture forms part of PNAfrica’s broader agenda to promote inclusive governance by empowering the next generation of leaders with the tools, platforms, and support systems they need to contribute meaningfully to democratic processes.
Source: Clement Akoloh||Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica)
