The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), in partnership with UNICEF Ghana, on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, held a Roundtable Dialogue for Children under the theme “Invest Early, Invest Right — Unlocking the Power of the Demographic Dividend.”
The session brought together government representatives, development partners, and child-focused institutions to discuss how Ghana can deepen investments in children and better harness the opportunities presented by its youthful population.
Speaking on behalf of the NDPC Director-General, Mr. Richard Tweneboah-Koduah, Director of Research, stressed that children’s well-being remains a defining measure of Ghana’s development progress. He noted that findings from recent NDPC reviews point to persistent challenges—ranging from poverty and poor learning outcomes to malnutrition and limited access to essential services—particularly in districts with weak service delivery systems.
He called for stronger district- and community-level structures, predictable financing for child-focused programmes, and greater use of data to guide planning and resource allocation. He added that NDPC will continue tracking district performance through the District League Table, intensify coordination to address child labour in high-risk areas, and prepare a national policy brief on Ghana’s implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
UNICEF Deputy Representative, Mr. Hammad Masood, commended ongoing government efforts, highlighting the importance of the current Situational Analysis of Children led by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, NDPC and the Ghana Statistical Service. He encouraged stakeholders to continue strengthening partnerships and listening to the voices of children.
The dialogue offered a platform for policymakers, practitioners and youth representatives to exchange ideas on improving outcomes for children. Insights from the meeting will inform ongoing policy discussions and planning at national and district levels.