Resilient City for Adolescents
Sunyani, the capital of Ghana’s Bono Region, was identified for intervention in the HCA-II Ghana Scoping Study (July 2022). As a centrally located and rapidly growing intermediary city, Sunyani hosts over 60% of the region’s population. However, its urban growth has outpaced investments in infrastructure and social services, resulting in slum growth, congestion, service delivery gaps and increased vulnerabilities – particularly among adolescents.
Despite being a significant demographic group, adolescents in Sunyani face systemic exclusion from social, economic and decision-making processes. Many are out of school due to teenage pregnancy, poverty and unemployment, while vulnerable groups – especially female head porters (kayayei) – endure unsafe living conditions and limited access to shelter, health care and sanitation. These factors contribute to rising mental health issues, substance abuse, HIV prevalence and economic insecurity.
At the same time, the city offers strong potential for cross-sector collaboration among government, civil society, academia and the private sector to promote adolescent health and wellbeing.
Quick facts
Country: ghana
Cities: Sunyani
Project Timeline
01/03/2026
Project Consortium
Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF) (Lead Partner)
Indigenous Women Empowerment Network
Citizens Watch Ghana
Catholic University College of Ghana, Fiapre
The Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (AITI-KACE)
National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI)
Sunyani Municipal Assembly
About the project
Resilient City for Adolescents aims to empower Sunyani’s adolescents socially, economically and politically to be active citizens who demand their rights, create jobs and actively engage in decision-making processes at the city level. The project’s main goal is to create a resilient city system that aligns urban planning and policies with the needs of adolescents, promoting healthy and supportive environments in which they can thrive.
Key interventions
Social Empowerment
Equips adolescents with skills and platforms to drive change. Training in journalism and digital innovation helps them raise awareness and advocate for solutions.
Political empowerment
Establishes an Adolescent Parliament for youth-led debates and an Intermediary City Ecosystem Platform for policy discussions with state and non-state actors.
Economic empowerment
Provides vulnerable adolescents with business and livelihood skills. Training in entrepreneurship and digital skills, mentorship and career guidance support self-employment and income generation.
Project consortium and partnerships
The project consortium is led by the Global Media Foundation, a Sunyani-based media advocacy organisation promoting human rights and social justice. It includes Citizens Watch Ghana, a local non-governmental organisation specialising in governance and accountability, and the Indigenous Women Empowerment Network, a local women’s rights organisation, as the key consortium partners leading the project’s implementation.
The consortium works in close partnership with other secondary partners, including the Sunyani Municipal Assembly, the Catholic University of Ghana – Fiapre, the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, the National Youth Authority, the Ghana Education Service, the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Enterprise Agency, which play critical roles in city planning and development.