The Resilient Cities for Adolescents (RCA) Team, led by Raphael Godlove Ahenu, is sharing its experiences with Indian counterparts from the World Resources Institute (WRI) India) under the Healthy Cities for Adolescents (HCA) Program, a global initiative funded by Fondation Botnar.
The engagement in the Indian city of Jaipur provides a platform for cross-learning on how to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive urban environments for adolescents. The RCA Team presented lessons from Ghana, highlighting how the Adolescent Parliament in Sunyani has become a model for youth participation in local governance and city development.
“Adolescents are not just beneficiaries of development; they are powerful change agents,” said Raphael Godlove Ahenu, RCA Team Lead. “Through platforms like the Adolescent Parliament, we are ensuring that young people have a voice in shaping their cities and influencing decisions that affect their daily lives.”
Strengthening collaboration across borders
The collaboration with WRI India enables both teams to exchange strategies for addressing adolescent health, mobility, safety, and access to opportunities in fast-growing cities. Indian partners are showcasing their own innovative approaches, while drawing inspiration from Ghana’s community-driven and governance-focused model.
“We see this exchange as a chance to learn from each other and co-create solutions that reflect the unique realities of our cities, while keeping adolescents at the center,” noted a representative from WRI India.
Background
The Healthy Cities for Adolescents (HCA) Program, spearheaded by Fondation Botnar, supports young people to thrive in urban settings by promoting health, equity, and active participation in city development. By fostering international collaboration, the program strengthens local capacities while accelerating global impact on adolescent wellbeing.
Going forward
The RCA and WRI India teams will continue to engage in joint learning sessions, field visits, and knowledge-sharing forums. The goal is to adapt successful models across contexts, ensuring that adolescents worldwide benefit from inclusive governance, improved services, and healthier living conditions.
Resilient Cities for Adolescents (RCA) is a project that empowers young people in Sunyani, Ghana, to become active citizens, improve their well-being, and contribute to building a healthier, more inclusive urban environment for youth.
Led by the Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF) and funded by Fondation Botnar, the project involves a consortium of partners and focuses on social, economic, and political empowerment for adolescents.
Key activities include skills training, promoting healthy environments, and advocating for policies that address adolescent needs in urban planning and decision-making.
(Story by Richard Kofi Boahen – rboahen2018@gmail.com)
