_ Young and safe

Towards an Active, Engaged, Informed and Empowered youth in Ho City

 

The Young and Safe project intends to assist Ho in becoming a youth-friendly city that safeguards the wellbeing (health, economic and social)  and participation of young people in city governance.

 
 

Young and Safe is a comprehensive project aimed at making Ho city a youth friendly city by enhancing the overall wellbeing and participation of young people in city of Ho. Through a series of targeted initiatives, the project seeks to address various aspects of youth empowerment, including civic engagement, sexual and reproductive health education, mental health support, social wellbeing, digital employability, and strategic partnerships.

Young and Safe is implemented through smart local partnerships between Youth-led non-profits, (Love Aid Foundation) Universities (University of Health and Allied Sciences), and Government agencies (Ghana Education Service, Ho Municipal Assembly) in Ho.

Young and safe is funded by Fondation Botnar as part of the healthy cities for adolescent program and managed by Ecorys 

 

Project Interventions

_ Adolescent in city governance
We are building young people’s capacity in Ho to engage city governance, advocate for systemic change, and grow as leaders. This prepares them to take active roles in shaping policies and programs that make the city more inclusive and youth-friendly.
A group picture of participants at the Ho Youth Policy Hackathon

Ho Youth Policy Hackathon

Annual event that brings together young people and duty bearers to align and prioritise needs of young people in the city
ylaat_24_5n-2

Leadership and Advocacy training

Training program aimed at building capacity of young people to become city leaders and also hold leaders accountable.
Ho Youth Well-being report

Ho Youth Wellbeing Report

An index report that tracks well being indicators of young people in the city. It will be used for advocacy and measuring progress of youth wellbeing
GENfSJtWsAA7C6N

Y – Radio show

A radio show for young people by young people to voice out their needs and share their experiences in the city
 
_ Living healthy youthful lives in the city

We are empowering young people with knowledge in sexual, reproductive, online safety and mental health to live safe and healthy lives in the city.

F9hiBpwWcAAGLV_

Mental Health Bootcamps

A day full day bootcamp to help young people learn and manage their mental health stresses
F9htE5UXgAAfkC4

Sexual Health Bootcamps

Full day bootcamp comprising training, fun activities to build capacity of young people on managing their sexuality
F-BVnjEW0AAhcVJ

Cyber Health Bootcamp

A full day bootcamp to train young people on how to use the internet safely and securely
GBd3_pKWEAA3Cj3

Y & S App

Mobile app for young people to connect to mental health experts, safe space to share their thoughts and access resources
 
_ Safe spaces for connection & self discovery

We are creating safe spaces for young people to connect, discover their potential, and build character. Through games and fun activities, they uncover hidden talents, form friendships, and grow in confidence within a supportive community.

GBeCEjKXgAErirB

Oxygen Park

An open multipurpose park for young people in the city. It has amphitheater, open seating places, skate park, basketball park, digital experience centre etc
End part of report

Young and Loud Festival

A creative festival for young people to discover, and project their creative talents. It including dance, music, arts, poetry and plays.
 
_ Skills for city innovation & employability

We are equipping young people with digital skills to drive innovation in the city and improve their employability. By preparing them for jobs after school, we empower them to secure their economic well-being and contribute to the city’s digital growth

Economic dimension photo

Code2Job

12 months digital skills training program aimed to building skills young people need to find jobs in the tech sector
GKOqPs6WoAAiv7O

Node X

A design thinking workshop to empower young people to innovate and design city level solutions
RVRB_htu-112

Virtual Reality & Robotics

A STEM bootcamp aimed at introducing young people to emerging technologies and encouraging them to take up STEM careers

Achievements

 Through the Young and Safe project, we are making Ho a youth-friendly city by empowering young people to thrive. Together with our partners, we have achieved:

10,000+

Young people reached through our interventions

3

3 young people elected into city level leadership out of the over 60 trained in city leadership

85%

of 300+ teens reached indicate increase in knowledge and access to SHR and mental health services

80% 

of 60 young people trained in code2job placed in internship enhancing employability 
_Young and Safe blog.

6

May 10, 2025

The Systemic Issues Keeping Our Cities Unfriendly to Young People

From budgets to public spaces, youth are sidelined in city planning. This blog reveals the hidden structures and mindsets keeping cities unfriendly to young people.

Click here

3

May 9, 2025

Is Your City Youth-Friendly? Here’s How to Know

What gets measured gets improved. If Ghanaian cities want to truly serve their young people, they must track the right data. This blog outlines five core pillars every mayor should monitor to build cities where young people can thrive.

Click here

2

May 8, 2025

What Makes a City Youth-Friendly – and Why Every City Needs to Be One

What makes a city truly work for its young people? It’s not just about parks or programs—it’s about opportunities, participation, and purpose. This article explores why youth-friendly cities are essential for inclusive growth and what it takes to build one where young voices shape the future

Click here

Partner with Young and Safe to empower youth, strengthen communities, and shape Ho’s future.

Email: Micheal@nodeeight.org
Phone: 027550817

Follow our stories on social media