The YMCA movement was founded in 1844 by Sir George Williams and a group of his friends.
The Ghana YMCA traces its history to 1890 when a young Gold Coaster, Wilkins Michael Abbey who had come into contact with the Association in Scotland during his study tour to Europe, brought it to the Gold Coast.
On his return to the motherland, young Abbey began the first YMCA in Accra, which is now known as the Accra Central YMCA. Since that time, the YMCA movement has grown and spread to many parts of Ghana. Based on the changing
needs of young people we have provided services through our programmes in all the Administrative Regions that we are present. We were the first private Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to provide Vocational and Technical training in the country.
Ghana YMCA Technical Training Center in Accra was established on 24th of June 1966 with support from the EZE Protestant Agency for Development in Germany which specializes in the provision of funding for the construction of Vocational Training Centres. Through the support of the Christlicher Verein Junger Menschen (CVJM), Ghana YMCA in 1988 established a similar Vocational Training Centre in Takoradi in the Western Region for young girls and another one in Apedwa in the Eastern Region in 1986 which is for both boys and girls.
Over the years, Ghana YMCA has been privileged to be served by a number of high profile personalities either as volunteers, leaders or management staff. Our first National Chairman was Hon. K. Amoa-Awuah who was at the time the Deputy Minister of Health under the regime of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. He was followed by Dr. H. S. Bannerman, Prof. Emmanuel Ofori Akyea, Mr. I. J. Moukazel, Mr. Anthony Forson, Mr. Albert de Graft Aikins, Dr. Christian, O. Agbenyaga, Mr. Stephen A. Annancy, Mr. S. Twumasi-Ankrah, Mr. Gershon K. Dzakpasu, Mr. Kwame Gyimah-Akwafo, Prof. Emmanuel Larbi Kwame Osafo and now Mr. Reynolds Kwadwo Kissiedu.
The first National General Secretary was Mr. Charles Amaning, an educationist. His immediate successor was Mr. Emmanuel A. Boateng, who was followed by Mr. Samuel Edmund Nyame, Mr. Alfred A. Sarkodie, Mr. Samuel Henry Edward Anim, Mr. Prosper Hoeyi and now Mr. Kwabena Nketia Addae.
Our Mission
To enhance the development of the minds, bodies and spirit of young people in Ghana in order to make them productive and useful citizens.
Our Vision
Empowering young people for the African renaissance.
