Barriers to Children and Young People’s Participation in Policy Making in Ghana

Abstract

This research examined the barriers to young people's participation as strategic stakeholders in the formulation of public policy, using the formulation of Ghana's youth policy as a case study. The aim was to gain knowledge about the processes that facilitate or hinder young people's participation in the policy process at national level. The study involved the use of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with 20 stakeholders in the policy process. Findings showed discrepancy in the attitudes and behaviour of policy makers towards young people. For example, on one hand policy-makers recognised young people's right to participate but on the other hand they did not seek to involve young people in the policy process. This paper presents a number of factors contributing to this discrepancy and how to overcome them. The paper concludes that to effectively involve young people in the formulation of public policies young people must possess and exercise democratic franchise.

Impacts of Pre-Service Training and Coaching on Kindergarten Quality and Student Learning Outcomes in Ghana

“…Yet recent reports on the KG sector have concluded that the curriculum is rarely implemented, and that quality is low across the country (GES, 2012;UNESCO, 2006). Pedagogical practices observed in several studies in Ghana are highly teacher-directed and considered to be oppressive of young children (Adu-Gyamfi, 2014;Akyeampong, 2017), with children viewed as "receptacles in need of control" (Agbenyega, 2017, p. 682). Thus, despite the national curriculum being play-based and child-centered, it is rarely implemented as intended (Ghana Education Service, 2012).…”

Factors of Youth Participation Capabiliity in The Public Policy Making Process

“…However, there are barriers to ensuring youth participation. According to Adu Gyamfi (2015), politicians perceptions of youths maturity level and lack of life experience contribute to the failure to include youths in the policy-making process. Furthermore, many studies on youth participation have discovered that youth are perceived as incompetent, passive, immature, incomplete, and highly fragile subjects whose participation is unreliable and vulnerable to adult suggestions (Mishna et al, 2004;Farrell, 2005;Laenen, 2009;Mason and Hood, 2011;Fisher et al, 2013).…”

Factors of Youth Participation Capabiliity in The Public Policy Making Process

“…However, there are barriers to ensuring youth participation. According to Adu Gyamfi (2015), politicians perceptions of youths maturity level and lack of life experience contribute to the failure to include youths in the policy-making process. Furthermore, many studies on youth participation have discovered that youth are perceived as incompetent, passive, immature, incomplete, and highly fragile subjects whose participation is unreliable and vulnerable to adult suggestions (Mishna et al, 2004;Farrell, 2005;Laenen, 2009;Mason and Hood, 2011;Fisher et al, 2013).…”