The Ghana YMCA is a non-governmental, non-denominational and not for profit organization whose goal is to prepare youth and others to contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities. We engage young people through intellectual, physical, and spiritual programmes to train the mind, the hand, and the heart notwithstanding age, gender, religion and race.

Although we are an autonomous national movement, we are a council of the African Alliance of YMCAs and part of a worldwide movement of 45 million members in 125 countries.

The Ghana operates in eight regions in Ghana and has five regional administrative offices across Ghana i.e. Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern, Ashanti/Brong Ahafo, and Western Regions.

Organizational Structure

National Council:

The National Council is the highest decision-making body of the Ghana YMCA. It comprises of representatives of all the constituencies of the Association. The National Council of the Ghana YMCA, headed by the National President, decides and supervises the strategic direction and growth of the Association.

National Board:

The National Board is the executive body through which the National Council executes its vision for the Ghana YMCA. It comprises officers of the National Council and senior staff of the Ghana YMCA.

Regional Council:

The Regional Council oversees the operations and activities of the Ghana YMCA within the administrative regions. The regional council is composed of representatives of local branches. It meets every two years as a Council, presided over by the Regional President.

Regional Board:

The Regional Board has supervisory authority in the absence of the Council. It is composed of elected officers of the Regional Council, Local Board Chairmen/Chairpersons, Vice Chairmen, Secretaries and Treasurers; the Regional Director (RD) is a non-voting member.

Regional Directorate: 

The Regional Directorate implements the activities of the YMCA. The Regional Director is the Chief Executive Officer, with responsibility for the management and implementation of policies/programmes. The Regional Director is appointed by and reports to the National Board through the Executive Director.

Local Board:

Each branch has a local board consisting of 5-9 respected members who play an advisory role to the branch. Most are elected by the membership, while at least one youth representative is appointed, and 1-2 eminent persons may be invited to serve. The term is two years. They have a chairman/person, vice chairman/person, secretary, treasurer and chaplain.

Membership

Membership in our YMCA is an investment. The YMCA of Greater Accra draws its strength from the important role of its members.

Our membership mix reflects the needs and social dynamics of the people. With the establishment of leadership training, youth empowerment and leadership development skills, life skills and livelihood training programs, the interest of students in Junior and Senior High Schools (Hi-Y clubs) and University (Y Clubs) are catered for.

Membership is held in clubs established under branches/ local YMCAs. There are five kinds of membership at the Ghana YMCA:

Full Membership

Full membership of the YMCA shall be opened to persons with a commitment to a Christian way of life and an acceptance of Jesus Christ as the centre of the movement.  They shall be full and active members of their respective churches.  Full membership is renewable on yearly basis.  Only full members will be eligible to be elected into office.

Life Membership

Life membership is open to all persons who sympathize with the cause of the Ghana YMCA and have pledged their full commitment and responsibility at all times to support it in whatever way or capacity that they may be called upon either to assist financially or otherwise.  They (both male and female) shall be encouraged to make contributions in a form of gifts, donations, expertise assistance and links from time to time.

Associate Membership

This is open to persons whilst not committed to a Christian way of life and recognition of Jesus Christ as the centre of the movement still subscribe to the work and programmes of the Association. Associate Membership is renewable annually. 

Junior Membership

Junior members are registered young persons under 18 years of age including  students members in any educational institutions up to tertiary level.  Membership is renewable annually.

Honorary Membership

This may be conferred by the National Council, Regional or Local bodies of the Association; on persons of distinctive qualities and social standing who subscribe to and are demonstrably keen to promote the Christian purpose of the YMCA.  Such persons may be invited to carry out specific functions prescribed by the National Council.