The Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment (MYDE) and the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the “Sound Youth, Sound Nation (SYSNA)” programme aimed at tackling substance abuse, cybercrime and other social challenges affecting young people.

The initiative, signed in Accra on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, seeks to promote responsible citizenship, patriotism and holistic youth development across the country.

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, Mr George Opare Addo, on behalf of the ministry, and the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Dr Cyril Fayose.

Mr Opare Addo (middle) speaking at the programme

Mr Opare Addo said the partnership reflected government’s commitment to working with faith-based organisations to address challenges confronting the youth, including unemployment, skills gaps, financial illiteracy, teenage pregnancy and substance abuse.

He said young people were Ghana’s greatest national asset and that investing in their development was both a social responsibility and an economic necessity.

According to him, the collaboration would support awareness campaigns in schools, churches and communities, train youth workers and peer educators, establish youth clubs and strengthen counselling and referral services.

The programme will also promote entrepreneurship, employability, volunteerism, patriotism, responsible digital citizenship and community service.

Mr Opare Addo noted that the Christian Council’s nationwide network and experience in promoting social development positioned it as a key partner in delivering the initiative.

Rev. Dr Fayose described the agreement as more than the signing of a document, saying it represented a commitment by the Church and State to nurture a generation that was skilled, patriotic and prepared for the future.

He said Ghana’s youthful population presented a major opportunity for economic growth and national transformation if supported with the right education, skills and values.

However, he cautioned that failure to invest in young people could lead to rising unemployment, frustration and social instability.

Rev. Dr Fayose also warned that while technology offered opportunities, it had increased exposure to cybercrime, misinformation and online exploitation.

He stressed that digital skills must be accompanied by integrity and responsible citizenship, noting that “digital skills without integrity cannot build a strong nation.”

Under the MoU, the Christian Council will mobilise its churches and affiliated institutions for grassroots implementation, while MYDE will provide policy direction and coordinate relevant government agencies.

Implementation will be supervised by a Joint Steering Committee responsible for monitoring progress, approving work plans and mobilising support from development partners and other stakeholders.

The initiative, which will be rolled out in phases, aims to reach up to 500,000 young people annually, subject to funding and institutional capacity.

It is expected to complement the ministry’s “Red Means Stop” campaign against opioid abuse and other harmful substances among Ghanaian youth.