By: Baba Mohammed Issahaq]
The Northern Regional Youth Network has formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama over the persistent reduction of funds from the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) to youth development agencies in the region.
The petition, submitted at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council through the Northern Regional Minister, raises concerns about declining allocations to the National Youth Authority (NYA) and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA).
These allocations are legally mandated under the National Youth Authority Act 2016 (Act 939) and the Youth Employment Agency Act 2015 (Act 887), which require 5% and 10% of the DACF, respectively, to be set aside for these agencies.
Mr Mohammed Shamsudeen Ibrahim, leader of the youth network, said the NYA’s allocation has dropped sharply from GHS 85 million in 2018 to just GHS 5 million in the first two quarters of 2025.
He called on the government to restore full statutory allocations, ensure transparency in fund disbursement, and increase youth participation in budgeting and policy decisions affecting their development.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the Regional Minister, Alhaji Abubakari Inusah praised the youth for their peaceful demonstration and assured them that their concerns would be forwarded to the President for consideration.
Alhaji Inusah reiterated the government’s commitment to youth empowerment and pledged that the issues raised in the petition would receive the necessary attention.
