NPC and UNFPA Call for Greater Investment in Ghana’s Youth at 2026 World Population Day Launch
The National Population Council (NPC), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has launched Ghana’s 2026 World Population Day commemoration with a renewed call for increased investment in young people as a pathway to sustainable national development.
Speaking at the launch, officials emphasized that Ghana’s growing youth population represents one of the country’s greatest strengths and that strategic investments in education, healthcare, skills development, entrepreneurship, and employment are essential to unlocking their full potential.
Investing in Ghana’s Greatest Asset
Addressing participants, the Acting Executive Director of the National Population Council, Angelina Osei Kodua-Nyanor, highlighted the importance of placing young people at the centre of national development efforts.
She noted that with more than 12 million young people, Ghana has a significant opportunity to harness the energy, creativity, and potential of its youth. However, she stressed that realizing this potential requires sustained investment in quality education, decent employment opportunities, healthcare, and programmes that equip young people with the skills needed for the future.
Building Opportunities for Future Generations
The launch also underscored the role of population planning in shaping Ghana’s long-term development agenda.
During the launch, speakers called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, development partners, the private sector, civil society, traditional leaders, parents, and communities to increase investment in young people. They stressed that coordinated action is essential to improving access to education, healthcare, skills development, entrepreneurship, and decent employment opportunities.
UNFPA Reaffirms Support
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reaffirmed its commitment to working with Ghana to promote youth empowerment and evidence-based policies that improve the lives of young people.
The organisation stressed the importance of using reliable population data to inform national planning while ensuring that investments in youth remain a priority across sectors.
Why This Matters
Young people make up a significant share of Ghana’s population, making them central to the country’s future social and economic development.
The launch of Ghana’s 2026 World Population Day commemoration reinforces the growing emphasis on youth development as a national priority. With young people making up a significant proportion of Ghana’s population, stakeholders say sustained investment in education, healthcare, skills development, entrepreneurship, and employment will be critical to achieving long-term national development goals.Investments in education, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and employment not only improve individual livelihoods but also strengthen national productivity, innovation, and resilience. The call by the NPC and UNFPA serves as a reminder that empowering young people today is essential for building a more inclusive and prosperous Ghana tomorrow.
Primary Sources: National Population Council (NPC), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Ghana News Agency (GNA)
