Exploring The Role of Young People in Ghana’s Global Fund-Supported HIV Programs: The Gaps and Facilitators for Meaningful and Ethical Youth Engagement in the HIV Response.

Abstract

Young people remain at the center of the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa, yet their meaningful engagement in HIV programming continues to face critical challenges. In Ghana, where young people under 30 constitute more than half of the population, their involvement in Global Fund-supported HIV programs is vital to achieving sustainable health outcomes. The objectives of the study were to explore the role of young people in Ghana’s Global Fund-supported HIV programs, focusing on the existing gaps, barriers, and facilitators that shape their participation. It seeks to examine how young people are currently engaged in these programs, the impact of their involvement on program outcomes, and strategies to enhance their meaningful and ethical participation. This study employs a convergent parallel mixed-methods design were quantitative data were gathered through structured questionnaires administered to young people aged 18-30 years from Greater Accra, Ashanti and Northern regions in Ghana, while qualitative data were collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions with youth advocates, Global Fund implementers, and members of youth-led networks. The findings indicate that although young people contribute meaningfully to peer education, community mobilization, and advocacy efforts, their engagement in decision-making and governance remains limited. Structural barriers such as stigma, adult dominance in program structures, insufficient funding for youth led organizations, and lack of institutionalized representation hinder the realization of genuine youth leadership and participation. The study concludes that meaningful and ethical youth engagement should go beyond tokenistic representation toward shared power, resources, and responsibility in HIV programming. This work shares how creating safe and inclusive spaces for youth participation will ensure equitable and lasting outcomes through youth leadership in Ghana’s HIV response. The study contributes to the growing body of evidence advocating for youth-centered approaches that recognize young people as equal partners and essential agents of change in public health and development.