Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung@ 40 in Ghana the nation had witnessed many violent acts by the youth including arson and physical assault on political opponents. There were repeated allegations that in the political parties, party oligarchs were supplying alcohol and drugs to induce the youth into“action” against their opponents. Yet, somehow, the admirable transition from one elected leader to another in 2000 had muted observations about the emerging youth crisis. The risk from this was three fold. First, widespread youth dissatisfaction and frustration with the democratic process could lead to social unrest which could in turn undermine the young democracy itself. Second, as the clichéd future leaders, their exclusion would leave them ill-prepared for the heritage they would by the natural process of time inherit. The future of democratic Ghana could be undermined without new leaders who shared a defined commitment to the rule of law. Third, as the largest population segment, it made democratic sense to include them in the dialogue on the future of the nation. There was therefore the need to develop strategies that could capacitate the youth, offer them opportunities for networking and generally help to improve their involvement and participation in the democratic process. This led to the creation of the FES/you-net Youth Leadership Training Programmes(YLTP) and related programmes. The Youth Leadership Training Programme(YLTP) The YLTP runs as weekend modular programme. It offers young people the opportunity to explore new ideas in governance and to examine what they can contribute to national development as they hone their skills in leadership. The programme seeks to empower young people with knowledge and skills to help build a constructive youth movement which can lead youth participation in the 51