Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment inaugurates MYDE–Christian Council collaboration to address substance abuse among the youth
The Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment (MYDE) has inaugurated a Steering Committee to oversee the implementation of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), aimed at promoting youth development, positive behavioural change, and preventive interventions to address substance abuse among young people in Ghana.
The MoU, signed on 4 August 2026, establishes a framework for collaboration between the Ministry and the Christian Council of Ghana to strengthen youth-focused interventions through values-based education, prevention, counselling support, and community engagement.
Under the agreement, the Ministry provides policy leadership and strategic direction, while the Christian Council of Ghana will support youth development through its Sound Youth, Sound Nation (SYSNA) Programme. The programme seeks to promote positive values, patriotism, responsible citizenship, prevention education, youth well-being, life skills, behavioural change, counselling support, and community engagement.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Steering Committee, the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare Addo, expressed appreciation to the Christian Council of Ghana for honouring the Ministry’s invitation and demonstrating its commitment to a shared development agenda through its partnership with the Ministry.
The Minister emphasised that the collaboration reflects the importance of strengthening partnerships with faith-based institutions to address challenges confronting young people. He noted that substance abuse remains a significant concern for youth development and requires coordinated, sustained efforts involving government, religious institutions, families, and communities.
Hon. Opare Addo highlighted the important role of religious institutions in shaping values, providing moral guidance, promoting responsible behaviour, and supporting young people to make informed decisions. He expressed confidence that the partnership would strengthen preventive education, promote positive behavioural change, and encourage community-level engagement to help protect young people from substance abuse.
The Minister explained that the inauguration of the Steering Committee fulfils a key requirement of the MoU, which provides for a joint oversight structure to ensure effective coordination and successful implementation of the agreed programmes.
He noted that the Steering Committee would serve as the highest decision-making and oversight body for the implementation of the agreement, providing strategic direction, ensuring policy alignment, and promoting the efficient utilisation of resources.
The Committee is expected to provide strategic guidance and policy direction, approve annual work plans and budgets, review implementation progress, address bottlenecks, ensure accountability, strengthen stakeholder coordination, mobilise resources, and make recommendations for programme improvement and expansion.
He urged members to demonstrate commitment, professionalism, innovation, integrity, and a strong spirit of collaboration in the discharge of their responsibilities. He stressed the need for a results-oriented approach that moves beyond meetings and administrative processes to deliver measurable improvements in the lives of young Ghanaians.
The Minister underscored the importance of achieving practical outcomes, including improved youth well-being, increased awareness of the dangers of substance abuse, positive behavioural change, and reduced vulnerability to social risks.
Through the SYSNA Programme, the Christian Council of Ghana is expected to play a significant role in promoting preventive education, counselling support, life skills development, and community engagement. These interventions will help encourage responsible decision-making, strengthen resilience among young people, and foster supportive environments that enable them to make healthy choices and realise their potential.
The Minister assured members of the Ministry’s full commitment and support in facilitating the operations of the Steering Committee. He congratulated the nominated members and expressed confidence in their expertise, urging them to serve with dedication, integrity, and a shared commitment to the objectives of the partnership.
The MYDE–CCG MoU will run for five years, providing a framework for sustained cooperation in advancing youth development and empowerment. The partnership reinforces the Ministry’s commitment to working with faith-based organisations and other relevant stakeholders to develop sustainable, youth-centred interventions that respond to the needs and aspirations of young people.
The inauguration of the Steering Committee marks an important milestone in strengthening cooperation between the Ministry and the Christian Council of Ghana. Through effective oversight, sustained engagement, and coordinated preventive interventions, the partnership seeks to promote responsible citizenship, safeguard youth well-being, and contribute to building a healthier, more resilient, and empowered generation of young Ghanaians.