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FOAYD criticises 2026 budget over lack of direct funding for youth groups

The Federation of African Youth Development (FOAYD) has criticised the 2026 budget for the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, accusing the government of failing to prioritise the needs of young people and provide direct financial support for youth organisations.

Executive Director of FOAYD, Abdul Rauf Abugri Mumuni, said the budget did not adequately reflect the needs of more than 13 million young Ghanaians, particularly those involved in grassroots youth development initiatives. He has called for an overhaul of youth funding, transparent tracking of public expenditure and direct financial support for functional, independent youth-led organisations.

In a press statement, Mr Mumuni expressed disappointment with the allocation of public funds, arguing that excessive administrative expenditure, foreign travel, workshops and consultancy services were being prioritised over direct interventions to support youth-led businesses, employment and development programmes.

He also raised concerns about budget lines he described as vague, including “Unspecified Policy” and “Unspecified Operations”, which he said undermined transparency and accountability in public spending.

The FOAYD Executive Director said the absence of direct budgetary allocations for national youth groups was particularly troubling, given the role such organisations played in mobilising young people and addressing challenges at the grassroots.

He argued that independent youth-led organisations needed financial and institutional support to contribute effectively to national development, adding that their exclusion from the budget risked limiting young people’s participation in governance.

Mr Mumuni also questioned the effectiveness of the Ghana Youth Federation (GYF), which he described as the legally mandated apex body for youth in Ghana.

According to him, the federation had been dormant and ineffective since 2025, leaving grassroots youth organisations without the level of coordination and support they required.

He further accused the GYF’s leadership of failing to adequately engage youth groups across the country, arguing that media appearances and public statements had not translated into meaningful action.

Mr Mumuni said the federation’s leadership needed to strengthen consultations with youth leaders, organise grassroots groups and advocate more effectively for their concerns.

FOAYD maintains that youth development funding should be directed towards practical initiatives that address unemployment, strengthen grassroots organisations and create opportunities for young people across the country.

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