Abstract
This study focuses on regional organizations (ROs) specifically the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It assesses the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) mechanisms of the ECOWAS youth policy which was passed in 2008 for the 15 member states and how a member state like Ghana has incorporated it into the national youth policy/program. It utilized the African agency as an analytical framework based on understanding the “African solutions to African problems.” Data were obtained from multiple qualitative sources in a triangulation fashion: interviews, observations, documents and several secondary sources through a multisectoral and organizational approach. The data was analyzed thematically with major and sub-theme themes based on the main research question and other specific questions. The study found that Ghana has made a lot of efforts in integrating the ECOWAS youth policy into the national policies with many M&E mechanisms including the establishment of a data bank on youth activities and development. Another progress is the establishment of a youth ministry and other youth-based specialized agencies through public–private sector partnerships. It recommends that future research be adopted across countries and a longitudinal approach geared towards consolidating the ECOWAS youth policy and M&E mechanisms in member states.
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The authors acknowledge the administrative support of the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD) for the letters and other office support.
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Conceptualization and first draft (DDK), data collection (PJL), literature review (FB, KA PJL, DDK). analysis by DDK. All authors read and approved the final draft/paper for submission.
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Kipo-Sunyehzi, D.D., Lambon, P.J., Boamah, F. et al. ECOWAS Youth Policy Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms: Evidence from Ghana. J of Pol Practice & Research 4, 308–323 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42972-023-00091-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42972-023-00091-8