Who are they and what is it about? You might have heard of this phrase in a current popular Ghanaian song or crossed it in a scroll online. Get to know all about this initiative.
“Free the Youth” is a collective youth-led movement based in Urban Ghana (Accra, Tema, Kumasi) that aims to create a more just and equitable society by advocating for the rights and empowerment of young people through fashion and culture.
According to their website, the collective was founded in 2014 and is made up of young people from diverse backgrounds who share a common goal of creating positive social change in Ghana. Envisioned by Jonathan Coffie, Kelly Foli, Winfred Mensah, and Richard Kweku Ormano andFREE THE YOUTHis determined to empower Ghanaian and all African youth to connect to art scenes around the world with Ghanaian inspired street-style fashion and culture
They work on various issues, including education, human rights, gender equality, and youth empowerment.
Some of their initiatives include peaceful protests and demonstrations to demand justice for victims of police brutality, victimised individuals, and providing educational resources and mentorship programs for young people in Ghana.
In addition to their activism, the Free the Youth collective also seeks to create a space for young people to come together, share their creative experiences, and learn from one another. They have a strong social media presence and often use platforms like Twitter and Instagram to share information about their work and raise awareness about social justice issues in Ghana and beyond. African international icons like Sarkodie, King Promise, Stonebwoy, Davido and Asake have shown their support to the initiative by purchasing and rocking the ‘FTY’ merchandises in music videos and for stage performances.
They are in collaborations and partnerships with global giants like spotify, Meta, CNN and many others.
Overall, the Free the Youth collective is an important voice for young people in Ghana and a powerful force for positive social change in Africa.