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Young People In Charge (YPIC)

Duration: 2017 - 2018

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

he 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

  1. 5,500 youth reached indirectly through community interventions
  2. Significant improvement in youth SRHR knowledge and service utilization
  3. Notable shift in parental attitudes toward both RHE (80% approval) and youth savings
  4. Strengthened cross-sector collaboration between education, health and financial institutions