The Policy Action Research on NGLED Officially Launched

Accra: The Policy Action Research on Youth Economic Inclusion through Next-Generation Local Economic Development (NGLED), initiated by the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) in March 2024, has been officially launched. The ILGS, with support from the Knowledge Platform on Inclusive Development Policies (INCLUDE), is implementing a three-year (2024-2026) policy action to analyze the entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial behavior among young people and local government officials in five selected Municipal and District Assemblies in the country.According to Ghana News Agency, the Assemblies involved in this initiative are Sekondi/Takoradi Municipal Assembly, Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abirem Municipal Assembly, Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly, Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipal Assembly, and Atiwa District Assembly. The ILGS facilitated the establishment of five business youth groups in these districts, providing capital support ranging from GHS 60,000 to GHS 75,000 per group, along with mentorship, training, fo rmalization, market access, and the creation of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to manage the process. These groups are engaged in activities such as poultry, fish farming, and livestock rearing.The project launch aimed to showcase the five youth businesses under the NGLED action research to government, development partners, and INCLUDE knowledge platform members from other African countries. The preliminary findings of the research are expected to inform government policy on local economic development, youth enterprises, and the 'Adwumawura.'Madam Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, the Deputy Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, performed the launch on behalf of the sector minister, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim. In a speech read for Mr. Ibrahim, he described the project as a holistic model for sustainable youth entrepreneurship and local economic development, emphasizing its alignment with the Local Economic Development Policy (2024-2029) launched by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.Mr. Ibrahim highlighted that the NGLED aligns with the broader vision of President John Dramani Mahama, particularly the Adwumawura Programme and the 24-Hour Economy Policy. These government flagship programs aim to create 10,000 youth-led businesses annually, establish a microcredit institution with a seed fund of GHS 750 million, promote graduate cooperative for public and private businesses, and scale up district-level enterprises while supporting artisans with start-up kits.The Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to embedding job creation at the heart of local governance, urging stakeholders and international and local development partners to take action. He encouraged MMDAs to embrace their roles as economic enablers and leaders, and urged the youth to seize opportunities to pioneer a new economic future for their communities and Ghana.Professor Nicholas Awortwi, Director of the ILGS, in his welcoming address, stated that since 2019, the ILGS and other institutions hav e advocated for a shift in Ghana's decentralization and local governance to adopt a Democratic Developmental Local Governance agenda. This system prioritizes local democracy and economic development as key focuses of decentralization, promoting local industry policy, job creation, income growth, and managing municipalities as businesses rather than bureaucracies.Prof. Awortwi explained that through the study, the ILGS aims to socially engineer a change in ideology and strategy of local governments in pursuit of local economic development. The approach encourages local governments to directly support young people in productive economic activities, fostering youth partnerships and providing entrepreneurial support and business development through coaching and mentorship.The occasion also featured the presentation of Business Registration Certificates to the five Youth Business Groups.