National Consultations held in Ghana and Nigeria to Advance Commonwealth Volunteer Programme
In May 2026, a series of national stakeholder consultations in Accra, Ghana, and Abuja, Nigeria, as part of preparations for the rollout of the Commonwealth Volunteer Programme (CVP).
Over two weeks, government institutions, youth organisations, development partners, civil society, educational institutions, and private sector stakeholders were engaged to shape country-specific implementation roadmaps for the programme.
The consultations generated overwhelming enthusiasm and strong commitments from stakeholders in both countries, reaffirming a shared vision to expand meaningful volunteering opportunities for young people while strengthening community development across the Commonwealth.
Launched at the ECOSOC Youth Forum in April, the Commonwealth Volunteer Programme seeks to create structured pathways for young people to contribute their skills and leadership to national and international development priorities. Through partnerships with governments, civil society organisations, educational institutions, and the private sector, the programme aims to connect volunteers with high-impact placements that build employability, leadership, and civic engagement.
The national consultations focused on identifying priority sectors for volunteer deployment, strengthening institutional partnerships, developing sustainable implementation models, and ensuring that the programme responds to local development needs while contributing to Commonwealth-wide objectives.
Speaking after the consultations, Joshua Opey, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council, welcomed the strong response received from stakeholders.
“The level of support we have received in both Ghana and Nigeria demonstrates that there is a real appetite for structured volunteer opportunities that empower young people while addressing national development priorities. These consultations are helping us build strong national foundations for a programme that will create lasting impact across the Commonwealth.”
The consultations represent the first phase of a broader engagement strategy, with additional country consultations planned across the Commonwealth in the coming months. These engagements will inform national implementation plans and strengthen collaboration between local institutions and the wider Commonwealth volunteer network.
Organisations interested in serving as host institutions or strategic partners for the Commonwealth Volunteer Programme are encouraged to engage with the Commonwealth Leaders Academy as preparations continue for the programme’s expansion.
As the rollout progresses, the Commonwealth Volunteer Programme is expected to provide thousands of young people with opportunities to gain practical experience, contribute to their communities, and develop the leadership skills needed to drive sustainable development across the Commonwealth.
