From a modest beginning with just 25 committed members, the Youth Impact Movement (YIM) has marked four remarkable years of growth, vision, and purpose.
Both chambers of the Youth Impact Parliament (YIP); the Senate and Parliament, came together for a historic Fourth Anniversary Special Joint Sitting, commemorating a journey that has transformed youth participation in governance across Ghana and beyond.
Today, the YIP proudly boasts of over 200 Youth Parliamentarians, representing diverse constituencies in Ghana, with at least 10 SRC Presidents, including the current leaders of Ho Technical University, Holy Spirit College of Education (HOSCO) in Ho and Jackson College of Education, serving as Youth MPs. More than 30 other tertiary SRC executives actively contribute to parliamentary proceedings, lending their voices and leadership to the movement’s mission.
The bicameral legislature, the first of its kind in Ghana, has been recognised by the Parliament of Ghana for its structure and impact. With functional chapters now established in Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, and India, the YIP has truly begun to embody its vision of becoming a Pan-African Youth Parliament.
The Fourth Anniversary Sitting was co-chaired by H.E. Jones Amegashie-Viglo, Executive Director of YIM and President of the Senate, and Rt. Hon. Adam Usman, Speaker of Parliament. With rich ceremonial proceedings, addresses, testimonies, and debates, the sitting reflected not only the Movement’s growth but its evolving substance. Dignitaries, including Prof. Elizabeth Obinim (Dean of Students, HTU) and Mr. Gilbert Borketey Boyefio (Programs Manager, Parliamentary Network Africa), graced the occasion as Guests of Honour, while officials from the National Youth Authority (NYA) and other stakeholders shared in the celebrations.
One of the event’s high points was the launch of the YIP Forum of Women Parliamentarians (YFoWP), with Prof. Obinim officially declaring the Forum launched. The Forum’s interim leadership, led by Chairperson Kendell Elizabeth Mantey, symbolised YIP’s firm commitment to gender equity and inclusive leadership. Prof. Obinim used the opportunity to make a passionate call for greater investment in women, urging society to build capacity, provide mentorship, and open leadership pathways for young women, stating: “When women lead, the results are better for everyone.”
Sharing her personal journey from a young orphan in Abidjan to becoming an Associate Professor in Fashion and Dean of Students, she inspired members with her “S.T.A.R.” model- Stop, Think, Act, Review—a principle that helped her overcome adversity and achieve excellence.
H.E. Jones Amegashie-Viglo also presented a progress report, highlighting four years of consistent activity, capacity building, and youth engagement. Under his leadership, the YIP has become a platform for nurturing ethical, vocal, and effective young leaders. He emphasised that YIP’s progress has been built on intentional planning, resourcefulness, and a national development focus, not theatrics or political mimicry. Looking forward, he announced plans to establish a permanent chamber and office complex, and called for support to complete ongoing projects including the Marshals’ robe project, acquisition of digital tools, and enhancement of media outreach.
Another moving testimony came from Youth MP Constantina Etornam Afi Agbenolawoduga, now Acting Second Deputy Speaker, who shared how YIP changed her life. Through debates, training, mentorship, and real-world legislative simulation, she evolved from a passive observer into a confident youth leader. “YIP made leadership a beautiful part of my life,” she said, affirming that the Parliament is a living leadership lab for shaping Ghana’s next generation of nation-builders.
As part of the proceedings, members moved to adopt amendments to the Senate Standing Orders, and debated the visionary resolution that “YIP believes that by 2040, 30% of Parliament should be made up of Women MPs.” Though the debate was deferred to a future sitting, the motion marked a strong commitment to inclusive governance.
The Youth Impact Movement’s four-year journey is not just a story of numbers or events, but of young people rising with purpose, passion, and principles. With recognition from the Parliament of Ghana, accolades such as the 2023 Volta Youth Awards’ Youth Association of the Year, and a victorious participation in the Parliament of Ghana Debate Competition in December 2024, YIP continues to lead as Ghana’s First Bicameral Youth Legislature.
As Ghana and Africa look to the future, the Youth Impact Parliament stands as a beacon of participatory youth leadership, structured civic engagement, and meaningful change, one sitting, one voice, one impact at a time.
