The National Youth Authority (NYA) has issued a resounding call to action, urging Ghanaian youth to transcend passive reception and actively engage in the nation’s developmental trajectory. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Osman Abdulai Ayariga, speaking at the opening of the 2026 National Youth Conference, held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, underscored the imperative for young people to recognize their capacity to significantly influence national advancement. The conference, themed ‘Rebuilding Values, Inspiring Patriotism: Empowering the Youth in the Digital Age,’ was designed as a platform for facilitating meaningful discussions concerning issues directly impacting young people’s lives and the nation’s welfare. Mr. Ayariga stressed that the youth must proactively contribute to these dialogues, rather than merely listening, highlighting that a significant portion of valuable insights could originate directly from their perspectives. He cautioned against procrastination, urging young people to embrace responsibility for their communities and the country from an early stage. ‘You belong at the table,’ he stated, ‘and you don’t have to wait until you’ve achieved a formal position or attained a title to make a difference.’
The NYA is dedicated to establishing platforms that foster deeper youth participation in decision-making at both the national, regional, and district levels, strategically collaborating with the Ghana Youth Federation and other key stakeholders. Specifically, the CEO emphasized the importance of establishing connections, identifying mentors, sharing innovative ideas, and developing practical solutions to the challenges currently confronting young people. He encouraged participants to utilize the conference as an opportunity to cultivate meaningful relationships, identify potential mentors, and collaboratively develop solutions to pressing issues.
Mr. Ayariga further emphasized that the nation’s future trajectory is already being subtly shaped by the choices made today by young people. The conference served as a vital opportunity to solidify this perspective, encouraging a renewed commitment to active engagement and contribution. The NYA’s commitment is to empower youth through platforms that enable meaningful participation in shaping Ghana’s future. The event will focus on establishing critical connections, identifying valuable mentors, and generating practical solutions to challenges affecting the youth.
According to preliminary reports, the conference drew a substantial crowd of approximately 500 youth from across Ghana and neighboring regions. The NYA plans to utilize the event to establish a robust network of mentors and establish practical solutions to challenges affecting young people. A preliminary estimate suggests that the event will generate substantial positive impact on the lives of young people throughout the country. The conference’s success hinges on fostering a culture of proactive engagement and sustained commitment to the nation’s development. The NYA anticipates that the event will be a pivotal moment in the ongoing journey of empowering Ghanaian youth. The conference will also include workshops on digital literacy and skills development. The NYA is committed to ensuring the event’s success and furthering its mission of nurturing the next generation of leaders and innovators.
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Source: Adom Online
