By: Joyce Kantam Kolamong
Youth advocates in Northern Ghana have raised concern over the steady decline in funds allocated to the National Youth Authority (NYA) and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) from the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) a development they say, threatens Ghana’s collective effort to empower young people and build an inclusive economy.
According to the Youth Budget Monitors and YEFL-Ghana, the decline contravenes legal provisions. In Acts 939 and 887, which mandate that 5% and 10% of the DACF be allocated to the NYA and YEA respectively. The groups report that the NYA’s allocation has dropped from GHS 85 million in 2018 to GHS 5 million in 2025, while the YEA’s share has fallen to below 1% of the DACF. They describe the trend as a national concern that affects job creation, skills development, and youth participation in governance.
YEFL-Ghana, through its Youth Budget Monitors, has been tracking these allocations as part of its broader campaign to promote transparency, accountability, and equitable resource distribution for youth development. In 2022, YEFL-Ghana flagged discrepancies in the application of the DACF formula – particularly a shift to a lower base amount of GH¢2.3 billion. This reduced the funds available for youth institutions despite the statutory percentage remaining unchanged.
This was made known at a media briefing in Tamale on the decline in yourh financing from the district assemblies common fund
Impact on Youth Development:
A Youth Budget Monitor, Hamza Sumeila, emphasized that the Acts were clear on youth financing yet the consistent shortfalls has led district youth programmes struggling with many young people losing faith in public institutions. The decline in youth financing has led to Reduced implementation of leadership, entrepreneurship, and civic education pprogrames, and Limited support for regional and district youth structures to coordinate community initiatives. The decline has also shrank employment and livelihood opportunities, particularly in the Northern, Upper East,and Upper West Regions
“When youth programs lose funding, communities lose the energy and innovation that drive local development,” said Hamza, a Youth Budget Monitor from the Northem Region.
Call to Action
YEFL-Ghana and the Youth Budget Monitors called on the government and relevant agencies to:
Restore full statutory allocations of 5% for the NYA and 10% for the YEA, Ensure transparency by publishing DACF allocations to youth institutions. Conduct an independent audit of DACF compliance with youth funding laws and Strengthen collaboration with youth groups to monitor and report on fund usage.
A National Responsibility
The Youth Budget Monitors emphasized that respecting the laws on youth financing was vital for sustaining public trust and advancing national development goals.
“Ghana’s young people represent the country’s most valuable resource. Financing their development is not optional – it is a legal and a moral responsibility,” Mr. Hamza said
The Youth Budget Monitors under the Regional Youth Networks with support from YEFL-GHANA, plan to continue their campaign through social media, visits to relevant authorities, and send a petition to parliament.
