After the acquisition of land by AYD, followed by a fundraiser, and subsequently the moulded blocks, the entire community came on board. A formal community building committee comprising traditional leaders, religious leaders, diaspora representatives, AYD representatives, and other opinion leaders was established. This signalled that the project was now a community-owned effort, which had always been AYD’s intention. AYD had set the agenda in motion for the clinic.
AYD meets every Sunday, a space where discussion, planning, and action come together. On 24 September 2022, one of the agenda items was the fact that the clinic project had been officially handed over to the town and a committee formed to oversee its progress. AYD was seen by the community as vital to the success of the project, and some members were appointed to the building committee. The committee tasked AYD to play an integral role in organising another fundraiser for the Asankare Community Clinic.
The planning process for the second fundraiser officially began in October 2022. AYD took an active role throughout, helping to coordinate invitations, design banners, and shape the likely activities for the event. Unlike the first fundraiser, which was entirely led by AYD, this second one was different. Control was shared with the formal clinic committee, making it a genuinely community-driven initiative.
In collaboration with the local Assembly Member, Asankare residents living abroad were contacted and invited to participate. Under the leadership of Mr. Kwame Kyere, they formed a group called Asankare Community Developers. They reviewed AYD’s initial building plan, suggested improvements, and, as a result, overall project management was formally handed over to the clinic committee.
Even with shared management, AYD remained fully involved. Members guided the planning, mobilised volunteers, and ensured that the fundraiser would run smoothly. The event took place on 5 May 2023, bringing together the community in support of the clinic and reinforcing the message that youth leadership, when combined with collective action, can make a real difference.
Every meeting, every phone call, and every small task mattered. AYD collaborated with the Building Committee to coordinate with church leaders, mosques, and diaspora contacts. They discussed who would manage logistics, who would organise volunteers, and how pre-event activities could attract families and encourage participation. It was a collaborative effort, but the energy and initiative of AYD members were the spark that kept the planning moving forward. Some AYD members, as part of the programme’s success, even travelled and spent four days in Accra to invite Asankare residents and dignitaries for the fundraiser.
Pre-event programmes helped to build momentum and draw attention to the fundraiser. Sporting activities, especially an inter-neighbourhood football gala, brought the youth together in friendly rivalry and excitement. At the same time, jingles were aired on local information centres and radio stations, while AYD members personally visited radio programmes to speak about the upcoming event and rally support.
The Main Fundraiser – 5 May 2023
After months of preparation, the main fundraiser for the Asankare Community Clinic was held on 5 May 2023. On the day of the fundraiser, AYD members were fully involved in supervising activities, guiding volunteers, and ensuring everything ran smoothly. Their work ensured the event was successful and inclusive.
It is important to note that the funds raised during this second fundraiser were managed entirely by the clinic committee. AYD did not control the money. The funds were handed over to the committee and have since been utilised to advance the clinic project, supporting construction and related activities.
The digging of the foundation and the raising of the levels have since been carried forward under the leadership of the formal clinic building committee. Whenever AYD is called upon to lend their strength at the site, they organise themselves and show up without complaint. No one is paid. No allowance is expected. They even find ways to feed themselves with their own efforts, never taking a penny from the committee. This steady contribution keeps the spirit of the project alive.
Through this process, AYD demonstrated that youth leadership can energise a community, inspire participation, and create momentum even when financial control rests with a broader group. Their support helped make the fundraiser a success while ensuring the clinic project remained a community-owned initiative.
AYD Through the years series continues in the next part