In this episode of the Young and Safe Diaries, we take a closer look at the state of youth well-being in Ho—from health and mental wellness to the realities of staying safe online. Host Joanna Nana Ama Kwame opens up an honest conversation that sheds light on the experiences, challenges, and opportunities shaping the well-being of young people in our communities.

Joanna is joined by Roger Kofi Gyening (Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Coordinator, Young and Safe Project), Mr. Joseph Gyedu (Mental Health Nurse, Ho Municipal Hospital), and Petrina Lugoloobi (Young and Safe Bootcamp Participant). Together, they unpack the day-to-day realities young people face and the efforts being made to strengthen their emotional, physical, and digital well-being.

You’ll also hear how the Young and Safe Project is actively responding to these challenges through its three-day health boot camps focused on sexual and reproductive health, mental health, and cyber health. From learning about consent and accessing health services to practicing stress-management techniques and building safer digital habits, the project is already equipping young people with the tools they need to make informed decisions.

Tune in to the full episode for powerful stories, key lessons, and practical ways you can support youth well-being in your community.

The Young and Safe Diaries is an initiative by the Young and Safe Project under the Healthy Cities for Adolescents program (HCA ||) funded by Fondation Botnar.

Read more about the Young and Safe Project: https://nodeeight.org/young-and-safe/

Unemployment remains one of the biggest challenges facing young people in Ho. In this episode of the Young and Safe Dairies, host Joanna Nana Ama Kwame speaks with David Ikechi Sobulachi (Young and Safe Project, Communications Officer) and Jesi graduates Asaase Ackon and Portia Mawuena Adaletey to explore how the Young and Safe Project responded to this gap.

The conversation unpacks the solution design: Code2Jobs, also known as the Jesi Young & Safe Scholarship, an initiative that provided young people with full scholarships to pursue intensive training in software development, digital marketing, data analytics, and product design. The scholarship aimed to bridge the digital skills gap, equip participants with job-ready capabilities, and connect them to real employment opportunities.

Together, the panel dives into the implementation process, highlighting the enablers that made progress possible and the challenges that surfaced along the way. Asaase and Portia share their personal journeys from training to employment, revealing how the program transformed their career prospects.

The episode concludes with reflections on the achievements, lessons learned, and recommendations for building a stronger pathway to youth economic empowerment in Ghana.

The Young and Safe Diaries is an initiative by the Young and Safe Project under the Healthy Cities for Adolescents program (HCA ||) funded by Fondation Botnar.

Read more about the Young and Safe Project: https://nodeeight.org/young-and-safe/

For many young people in Ho, the absence of safe, accessible spaces to connect, express themselves, and showcase their talents has long limited their growth and creativity.

In this episode of the Young and Safe Diaries, host Joanna Nana Ama Kwame sits down with Dennis Kotoku (Finance Officer, Young and Safe) and Tony Skhid (Winner, Young and Loud 2024 – Art Category) to discuss how the Young and Safe Project is addressing this challenge.

The conversation begins by unpacking the social and creative gaps young people face, then moves into the project’s response — from designing a multipurpose Youth Park to building youth-led talent platforms like the Young and Loud Festival (YNL). The guests share insights into the implementation process, the key enablers of progress, and the hurdles overcome to bring these spaces to life.

The episode wraps up with thoughtful recommendations for city leaders, cultural institutions, and development partners on how to sustain and expand safe, creative environments where young people can truly thrive.

The Young and Safe Diaries is an initiative by the Young and Safe Project under the Healthy Cities for Adolescents program (HCA ||) funded by Fondation Botnar.

Read more about the Young and Safe Project: https://nodeeight.org/young-and-safe/

Have you ever felt like your voice doesn’t matter in decisions that shape your city? In the opening episode of Young and Safe Diaries, host Joanna Nana Ama Kwame takes you inside the Young and Safe Project, an initiative transforming Ho into a youth-friendly city by equipping young people with the tools, knowledge, and platforms to engage meaningfully in local governance.

Join the conversation with key voices driving this change: Perpetual Keh, a university student and project beneficiary, shares her journey from feeling overlooked to advocating for youth priorities such as sanitation and well-being. Perfect Mawulorm Amegboe, Young and Safe Project Coordinator, explains how Node X hackathons, Youth Leadership and Advocacy Training (YLAT), and Y Radio Shows are empowering young people to participate confidently. Mr. John Ntibrey, Ho Municipal Planning Officer, provides insight into how assemblies are opening doors for genuine youth involvement in decision-making processes.

This episode is your invitation to see how youth like you can influence policies, run for local assembly positions, and make your voice count. Hear about the early outcomes, lessons learned, and actionable recommendations for policymakers, local assemblies, and development partners aiming to deepen youth participation. Tune in, get inspired, and discover how you ca00n play a role in shaping your community.

The Young and Safe Diaries is an initiative by the Young and Safe Project under the Healthy Cities for Adolescents program (HCA ||) funded by Fondation Botnar.

Read more about the Young and Safe Project: https://nodeeight.org/young-and-safe/