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Young People In Charge (YPIC)

Year of Implementation: 2017

Background

The Young People in Charge (YPIC) project represents an innovative integration of sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) with financial literacy education, targeting Ghanaian youth aged 10-24. Implemented across eight districts in Northern Ghana (including Sagnarigu, Mion, Central Gonja, and Tamale Metropolis), this initiative builds upon Savana Signatures’ proven sexuality education programs – The World Starts With Me (WSWM) and My World My Life (MWML). The project addresses interconnected challenges facing young people: high rates of HIV/STIs, teenage pregnancies, and economic vulnerability. The project combined SRHR education with financial capability training to ensure a holistic approach to youth empowerment, recognizing that health and economic wellbeing are fundamentally linked.

Strategy​

The project employs a multi-sectoral implementation framework through partnerships with ACDEP and New Dawn for Social Development:

  1. Institutional Capacity Building
    • Trained 44 teachers in integrated Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and Child Social Financial Education (CSFE)
    • Equipped 26 health workers with Youth-Friendly Service (YFS) competencies
    • Established clinic health committees as youth advocacy groups
    • Conducted regular support visits to 30 schools and health centers
  1. Community Mobilization
    • Engaged 220 community leaders through awareness workshops
    • Organized bank-led financial literacy sessions in schools
    • Facilitated PTA meetings on sexuality and financial education
    • Advocated for policy changes in contraceptive distribution and HIV testing
  1. Direct Youth Engagement
    • Deployed peer educators for school and community outreach
    • Implemented integrated WSWM/MWML curricula in participating schools
    • Reached 1,100 youth directly through educational sessions
    • Established school-health facility referral systems

Key Highlights

  • 5,500 youth reached indirectly through community interventions
  • Significant improvement in youth SRHR knowledge and service utilization
  • Notable shift in parental attitudes toward both RHE (80% approval) and youth savings
  • Strengthened cross-sector collaboration between education, health and financial institutions