What began as a small seed planted in Sunyani, Ghana, has taken root, flourished, and crossed continents, showing how a locally developed innovation can transform adolescent participation in governance on the global stage.
GLOMEF Ghana and its partners, Citizens Watch Ghana and Indigenous Women Empowerment Network, are making history through their flagship Adolescents Parliament initiative under the Resilient City for Adolescents (RCA) Project. The initiative gives adolescents a safe, structured, democratic platform to amplify their voices, influence public policy, engage decision-makers, develop leadership skills, and take part in local governance and community development.
In a remarkable milestone, the model developed under the RCA Project has been successfully replicated in Chintana Mandap, India, following a knowledge exchange between partners from Ghana and India, a clear sign that Ghanaian-led innovation can inspire meaningful change across borders.
Leading the Ghana delegation to India was Mr. Raphael Godlove Ahenu, Chief Executive Officer of GLOMEF Ghana, accompanied by two members of the Sunyani Adolescents Parliament, Ishaq Umar Rahima, Majority Leader, and Justice Kodjo Wiado, Member of Parliament for Sunyani Newtown Constituency, and Ecorys Country Director in Ghana, Mr. Augustine Akrofi.
The Sunyani Adolescents Parliament was established in 2023 under the RCA Project, with support from Fondation Botnar through Ecorys UK. Since then, it has become one of Ghana's most innovative platforms for adolescent civic engagement, leadership development, and policy advocacy.
On 25 June 2026, the Chintana Mandap Adolescent Parliament was officially inaugurated in India, establishing a functional parliamentary platform where adolescents engage directly with public institutions, debate policy, and contribute to decisions affecting their lives. Under the leadership of the Speaker of the House, the new Parliament held thematic ministerial sessions on issues affecting adolescents: discussions with the Ministry of Jal Shakti covered clean water, sanitation, menstrual hygiene, and waste management; sessions with the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Women and Child Development examined gender-based violence, online safety, adolescent rights, and inclusive governance; deliberations with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs explored road safety, public transport, and adolescent-friendly public spaces; and the Ministry of Finance facilitated discussions on adolescent-responsive budgeting and public accountability.
One of the highlights was the presentation of policy briefs, an adolescent budget analysis, and a Charter of Demands, formally submitted to government authorities as the collective voice of participating adolescents.
Meanwhile, the Sunyani Adolescents Parliament's impact continues to expand across Ghana. Several Senior High Schools, including Sacred Heart Senior High School, have begun adapting the model to strengthen student leadership, democratic governance, and civic participation within their own schools.
Reflecting on this achievement, GLOMEF Ghana's CEO, Mr. Raphael Godlove Ahenu, thanked Fondation Botnar and Ecorys UK for their continued partnership:
"We are deeply grateful to Fondation Botnar and Ecorys UK for believing in our vision and supporting the Resilient City for Adolescents Project. It is truly inspiring to witness an innovation developed in Sunyani being successfully replicated in India through collaboration, learning, and knowledge sharing. This achievement belongs to the adolescents, facilitators, government institutions, and partners whose dedication has made this possible."
He also spoke to GLOMEF's long-term vision:
"Our aspiration is for the Sunyani Adolescents Parliament to become a nationally and internationally recognized model for adolescent participation in governance, one that empowers young people to become active citizens, influence public policy, and contribute meaningfully to building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities."
The transfer of the Adolescents Parliament model from Ghana to India is a powerful example of South-South cooperation and locally driven innovation, proof that when young people get a genuine seat at the table, their ideas can shape policy far beyond their own communities.
Story and photos: Ishaq Umar Rahima & Justice K. Wiado.
