From Participation to Action: Creating Space for Children to Influence the Decisions That Shape Their Lives

Children are directly affected by decisions made in their homes, schools, communities, and at the policy level. Yet, their perspectives are not always given the attention they deserve. Meaningful child participation requires more than listening to children; it requires creating opportunities for them to express their views, engage with decision-makers, and contribute to solutions that affect their lives.

It is against this background that the Centre for Learning and Childhood Development (CLCD Ghana), through the EPIC Project: Engaging Policymakers in Intersectoral Collaboration for Children, implemented the Child Parliament initiative in the Biakoye District of the Oti Region, Ghana, from 19th to 22nd October 2026.

Following the implementation of the initiative in Accra, which we previously highlighted, the engagement in Biakoye represents another step towards strengthening child participation and promoting children's involvement in local decision-making processes.

Preparing Children to Participate and Lead

Over four days, children were introduced to parliamentary processes and equipped with skills in public speaking, deliberation, critical thinking, and constructive engagement. Through this process, they were prepared to take on the roles of parliamentarians, express their concerns, identify issues affecting their communities, and propose solutions.

The initiative provides children with a structured platform to communicate their priorities and engage in conversations about their well-being and development. It also reinforces the importance of recognising children as active participants in decisions that affect them, rather than merely as recipients of policies and interventions designed by adults.

By equipping children with the knowledge and confidence to participate, the Child Parliament initiative contributes to building a culture where their voices are recognised, respected, and considered in community development and policymaking.

Celebrating Young Innovators: Build Me a Future Challenge

The final day of the Child Parliament also provided an opportunity to celebrate young innovators through the presentation of awards to the regional winners of the Build Me a Future (BMaF) Challenge.

The recognition of these winners highlighted the importance of encouraging children to think critically, develop ideas, and contribute to addressing challenges within their communities. It also reinforced the connection between child participation and problem-solving, demonstrating that children can be valuable contributors to identifying needs and imagining practical solutions.

By recognising the efforts of these young participants, CLCD Ghana continues to encourage children's creativity, initiative, and involvement in shaping a better future.

Advancing Collaboration for Children

The Child Parliament initiative forms part of the broader objectives of the EPIC Project, which seeks to strengthen collaboration across sectors so that children's needs, rights, and priorities inform policymaking and local development planning.

The project is implemented by CLCD Ghana in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), University College London (UCL), and FLACSO Argentina. It is funded by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) through UK Government international development funding.

Through initiatives such as Child Parliament, the project promotes opportunities for children to engage meaningfully in civic and policy discussions while encouraging stakeholders to recognise the value of children's perspectives in decision-making.

Looking Ahead

The Child Parliament initiative in Biakoye District reflects an important principle: children should not only be affected by decisions; they should have opportunities to help shape them.

As CLCD Ghana continues its work through the EPIC Project, the commitment remains to strengthen children's participation, promote collaboration among stakeholders, and support approaches that place children's rights, experiences, and priorities at the centre of development.

Because meaningful participation begins when children are given the space to speak, the confidence to contribute, and the assurance that their voices matter.

Every child deserves a voice. Every voice deserves to be heard. And every child deserves an opportunity to shape the future.