What We Do

We equip participants with employability and entrepreneurship skills through training, mentorship, and career coaching. They gain practical tools in CV development, interview preparation, business planning, and vision mapping—enabling them to become confident, self-reliant, and financially independent. 

We engage with local and international institutions and development partners to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within their programs and operations. This includes advocating for intentional and inclusive consultation processes, representation of queer youth in recruitment and decision-making, and the establishment of robust accountability mechanisms that ensure economic, political, and social inclusion extends to sexual and gender minorities. 

We influence governmental policy and public attitudes by amplifying the lived realities of queer youth through research, storytelling, and strategic engagement. This includes our participation at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), where we elevate queer youth perspectives within Ghana’s SDGs review process. We actively participate in various international platforms such as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), African Commission, advocacy with economic development partners, other global youth summits and dialogues, ensuring that the voices and realities of Ghanaian queer youth are represented and heard on the world stage.

Organize round table discussions, seminars and advocacy visits with policymakers, law enforcement agencies, diplomatic missions and development partners to promote inclusive policies and accountability on human rights commitments.

Youth empowerment is essential to building resilient, self-determined, and visionary communities. At YAEF, we believe that when young people are equipped with the right support systems, knowledge, and opportunities, they are able to challenge oppressive norms, influence policy, and shape the future of their communities. Empowered youth are not just beneficiaries of change, they are the drivers of it.

To nurture this potential, we connect emerging queer leaders with mentors and experienced activists who guide them in movement-building, human rights work, and professional development. Beyond mentorship, we create platforms for skill-building and leadership expression through capacity-strengthening workshops, safe community dialogues, and youth-led advocacy spaces.

We also promote youth empowerment by offering networking opportunities, creating avenues for civic participation, and supporting young people to design and lead their own initiatives. Through these interconnected efforts, we cultivate a strong pipeline of capable, confident, and socially conscious queer youth leaders in Ghana who are prepared to advocate, organize, and lead with purpose.