Ho Youth Policy Hackathon: Creating a Youth-Friendly City

Youth enrich society with special abilities, fresh viewpoints, and creative concepts. Even though their numbers are growing, young people in Ho are underrepresented in institutions of power. As a result, the opinions and interests of young people are inadequately reflected in city decision-making.

The Ho Youth Policy Hackathon will be held on May 4, 2023, with the help of Node Eight, the LoveAid Foundation, the Ghana Education Service, and the Ho Municipal Assembly, in an effort to address the underrepresentation and other challenges that young people in Ho confront.

The event is part of The Young and Safe initiative supported by Fondation Botnar’s “Healthy Cities for Adolescent (HCA-||) aimed at promoting youth-friendly cities that safeguard wellbeing, health, and participation in city governance.

The Ho Youth Policy Hackathon is a one-day event that brings together policymakers, students, community leaders, youth advocates, and local organization representatives for conversations to map out challenges faced by young people and generate innovative solutions.

The event includes brainstorming sessions, team-based activities, and expert discussions.

The event will be highlighted by the keynote talk of the Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Honourable Mr. Divine Richard Komla Bosson, with an emphasis on “The current state of young people in Ho, objectives of The Young and Safe project, and thematic areas for the hackathon.”

There will also be a panel discussion with members of the Consortium team for the The Young and Safe project.  The purpose of this conversation is to stimulate participants and give them the resources they need to develop original solutions to challenges young people face during the breakout sessions. They will be able to have a long-lasting influence on the policies that govern their life as a result.

What are the expected outcomes of the Ho Youth Policy Hackathon?

The Ho Youth Policy Hackathon will directly engage with 100 young people in Ho, allowing them to voice their concerns and suggest on how to tackle challenges affecting them. Through collaborative efforts, participants will draft the Ho Youth Manifesto, proposing solutions to make Ho a more youth-friendly city. This manifesto will serve as a blueprint for policymakers, community leaders, and youth advocates to work together and drive positive change.

In addition, more policies about the well-being of young people will be captured, prioritized, and implemented in the Ho Municipal Annual Plan. The event will increase access to and comprehension of sexual, mental, and reproductive information. This will lead to healthy reproductive, sexual, emotional, and mental health habits among young people.]

Ho Youth Policy Hackathon is an exciting opportunity for young people to contribute to ongoing initiatives for social change. This will create a healthier, more inclusive future for all young people in Ho. Policymakers, influencers, and the public interested in youth policy and social issues are encouraged to attend and engage with the enthusiastic young people involved in this significant initiative.

For all enquires, reach out to us via email at info@nodeeight.org