The Western region of Ghana is endowed with various natural resources and remains one of the major contributors to the country’s economic development. With the discovery and exploration of oil, the region has attracted global and national interest on the need to ensure that the exploitation of natural resources yield significant benefits to the indigenous people and communities. Meeting the demands and expectation of community members particularly the growing youth population in the region has become a major concern to government and private organisations operating in that part of the country.
Generally, as a result of expectation mismatch, companies in the extractive industry are presented with peculiar challenges with Nigeria being a clear case of clashes between host communities and oil operatives. The youth have been the main architects of riots and violence which often leads to the destruction of property and sometimes loss of lives. Harnessing the potential of the youth by creating the needed platforms and education is critical to community development and peace.
In response to this need, the Project TEN Joint Venture Partners Partners (Tullow Ghana Limited, Kosmos Energy, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Anadarko Petroleum, Petro SA) have introduced the Integrated Youth Development Initiative (IYD) aimed at creating platforms for youth engagement and development in six coastal districts of the Western Region namely Shama, Sekondi-Takoradi, Ahanta West, Nzema East, Ellembelle and Jomoro.
Project Components
The IYD is a flagship youth engagement tool deployed by the TEN Partners to create awareness on the TEN Project and provide avenue for engaging and developing young people in the project’s zone of influence. The multi-faceted project has the under listed components:
- Database development of youth in the beneficiary communities’ i.e. educational background/levels, economic activities, career plans and aspirations, challenges, etc.
- Mobilisation and formation of Youth Groups for coordinated engagement with TEN partners on development priorities.
- Establishment of a pilot hub in Ahanta West District dubbed “Daakye Nsroma Centre as a facility for mobilization, recreation and provision of educational support for young people in the district. The Facility will serve as academic support units for BECE candidates as they prepare to write their exams.
- Entrepreneurship & Mentorship Platform to offer youth groups tailored entrepreneurship and mentoring services for personal development of young people in the district. This will include engaging Tullow staff and other recognized positive icons in the communities and the country at large to share experiences.
- Introduction of Beach Soccer as a recreational sport and avenue for the promotion of environmental sanitation along the beaches.
Project Objectives
- Promoting youth development and engagement as a prominent part of TEN Project’s broader stakeholder engagement
- Establishing a hub for youth mentoring, academic support and recreational activities
- Introducing beach soccer to harness sporting talents and also promote environmental sanitation in the coastal communities.
- Mobilising and build capacity of youth in entrepreneurship development activities for improved livelihoods.
Target Areas
The Project will be implemented in the six coastal districts of the western region. These are Shama, Sekondi-Takoradi, Ahanta West, Nzema East, Ellembelle and Jomoro Districts. A pilot hub indicated above will be established in the Ahanta West District and based on the best practices and lessons scaled up to the other districts.
Expected Outcomes
- Youth engaged on Project TEN and associated activities
- Hub for after-school education support, youth mentoring and recreational activities established
- Increased capacity of youth in entrepreneurship development activities for improved livelihoods
- Improved education attainment by youth in the project areas
- Young people in project districts mobilized through beach soccer
- Enhanced skills of local artisans for better service delivery
- Cultural tourism and economic activities in coastal communities promoted
- Improved sanitation in coastal communities