The Greater Accra Regional Scout Council is charting a revival of scouting activities, recording a sharp increase in youth participation during this year’s Founder’s Day celebration in Accra.
At the 2026 Founder’s Day Funfair, held in honour of scouting founder Robert Baden-Powell, Regional Commissioner Joseph Kwakye Agyei announced that attendance had surged from about 50 children last year to nearly 500 pupils this year — a development he described as a strong sign of renewed interest in the movement.
Although the official Founder’s Day falls on March 22, the Council organised the event earlier to maximise participation from schoolchildren. The celebration featured a range of activities including horse riding, treasure hunts, scouting competitions, and other recreational games designed to promote teamwork and leadership.
Participating schools and groups included St Theresa School, Morning Star School, Hill View School, Ridge Church School, Living Star School, as well as the 56th Accra Scout, 23rd Garrison Scout, Marristar Scout and Rosalie Brown Scout groups.
Mr Agyei said the movement remains committed to instilling discipline, patriotism and service in young people, guided by the principle that scouting should be “fun for the children, job for the adults.” He stressed the responsibility of adult leaders to create engaging and meaningful experiences for members.
The Regional Commissioner acknowledged that scouting in the region had faced setbacks in recent years, including a shortage of volunteer leaders due to work and travel commitments. However, he said revitalisation efforts initiated last year were beginning to yield results.
As part of expansion plans, the Council is engaging the Ghana Education Service to secure approval for the full reintroduction of scouting in public schools. A pilot project has already been completed in a school within the Odododiodio Constituency, with discussions underway to extend the programme across the region.
Regional Secretary Michael Opoku Mensah noted that scouting operations are currently active in 10 of Ghana’s 16 regions, with ongoing efforts to expand nationwide following administrative adjustments linked to the creation of new regions.
He highlighted the broader benefits of scouting, including opportunities for travel, volunteerism and international engagement, which contribute to leadership development and personal growth.
With participation on the rise and expansion plans in motion, the Council says it intends to intensify publicity efforts and scale up future Founder’s Day celebrations as part of a broader strategy to restore scouting’s prominence within Ghana’s educational system.
