MYDE, Christian Council partner to fight cybercrime, drug abuse

The Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment (MYDE) and the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) have joined forces to tackle critical social challenges affecting young people, including substance abuse and cybercrime. They signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the "Sound Youth, Sound Nation (SYSNA)" program, designed to foster responsible citizenship, patriotism, and comprehensive youth development across Ghana.

The initiative, formalized in Accra on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, was signed by MYDE Minister George Opare Addo and CCG General Secretary Rev. Dr. Cyril Fayose. Minister Opare Addo highlighted the government's commitment to collaborating with faith-based organizations to address issues such as unemployment, skills gaps, financial illiteracy, teenage pregnancy, and substance abuse. He emphasized that investing in Ghana's youth, whom he called the nation's greatest asset, is both a social responsibility and an economic imperative.

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young people were Ghana’s greatest national asset and that investing in their development was both a social responsibility and an economic necessity.

This partnership aims to bolster awareness campaigns in schools, churches, and communities. It will also support training for youth workers and peer educators, facilitate the creation of youth clubs, and strengthen counseling and referral services. Furthermore, the program will promote entrepreneurship, employability, volunteerism, patriotism, responsible digital citizenship, and community service.

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it represented a commitment by the Church and State to nurture a generation that was skilled, patriotic and prepared for the future.

Rev. Dr. Fayose described the MoU as a shared commitment between the Church and the State to cultivate a generation that is skilled, patriotic, and future-ready. He cautioned that while Ghana's youthful population presents a significant opportunity for economic growth and national transformation, neglecting to invest in them could lead to rising unemployment, frustration, and social instability. He also warned that the digital age, while offering opportunities, has increased exposure to cybercrime, misinformation, and online exploitation, stressing that digital skills must be paired with integrity.

The MoU outlines specific roles: the Christian Council will leverage its nationwide network for grassroots implementation, while MYDE will provide policy direction and coordinate government agencies. A Joint Steering Committee will oversee the initiative, monitoring progress, approving work plans, and mobilizing support from development partners. The program is set to be rolled out in phases.

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digital skills without integrity cannot build a strong nation.