The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) initiated its Ghana edition of the National Youth Conference on November 20, 2024, at the GIMPA Executive Conference Centre in Accra. This two-day event aimed to elevate the voices of young people and address challenges affecting youth across the subregion. The opening ceremony saw participation from over 130 individuals, including youth leaders, government representatives, academics, and private sector players. Key institutions represented included the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Mastercard Foundation, and the Association of Ghana Startups.
Professor Richard Boateng, Lead Resource Person for the ECOWAS Public Consultations in Ghana, delivered a welcome address. He highlighted the initiative’s scope and emphasised its inclusive methodology that has already engaged 463 young people through focus group discussions, radio, and virtual platforms.
Ambassador Mohammed Lawan Gana, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, gave a keynote speech stressing the importance of youth engagement in shaping policies that reflect their aspirations. “The challenges we face—whether social, economic, or environmental—demand fresh perspectives and bold actions,” he said. Ambassador Gana encouraged participants to view the conference as a platform for open exchange and urged them to contribute to a revised ECOWAS youth policy. “We are building a foundation for problem-solving policies. The world is waiting for the ideas and actions that only you can provide,” he added.
Professor Daniel Frimpong Ofori from the University of Ghana addressed attendees with his talk titled “Giving the Youth a Voice.” He stressed the need for deliberate policy actions to prepare youth for future challenges. “Policies don’t work without proper implementation, monitoring, and evaluation,” he noted. He called for youth readiness by emphasizing being “hungry and thirsty for knowledge” to bridge skills and ability gaps.
A panel discussion featuring innovators and youth advocates offered practical advice for young participants. Ms. Naomi Kokuro, founder of KayaApp, urged youth to seize available opportunities while recognizing experienced mentors’ value. Mr. Jefferson Seneadza, founder of AyaTickets, emphasized a mindset shift towards lifelong learning. Mr. David Ofori from NEIP highlighted over 120 innovation hubs across Ghana as resources for entrepreneurship development: “Even registering a business is a starting point,” he advised.
