The National Youth Authority (NYA) is set to host a two day major youth conference from 4th September- 5th September, 2025, at the Pentecost Convention Centre in Gomoa Fete, bringing together 500 young leaders from across Ghana to discuss their role in national development and governance.
Speaking on YFM’s Myd Morning Radio Show with Rev Erskine Amo Whyte, NYA CEO Osman Abdulai Ayariga Esq explained that the conference represents the culmination of a series of youth empowerment activities originally planned for August, which had to be postponed following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of national heroes.
The conference, which forms part of NYA’s partnership with YFM for youth empowerment initiatives, will feature carefully selected participants from every district in Ghana, with two nominees from each district plus representatives from various youth groups to ensure comprehensive national representation. The gathering aims to create a platform where young people can share their expectations about governance and contribute meaningfully to policies that affect them.
The day will commence with an opening ceremony led by the Regional Minister and the Minister for Youth Empowerment, setting the tone for discussions on youth involvement in national development. Representatives from sister agencies including the National Service Authority, NEIP, YEA, Scholarship Secretariat, and Student Loan Trust Fund will deliver solidarity messages and provide crucial information about opportunities available to young Ghanaians, particularly students who need to understand and access scholarship and loan facilities.
The morning programme will feature a high-profile panel discussion on youth involvement in leadership, bringing together Hon. Edem Agbana, Vincent Assafuah, a youth leader from the Ghana Youth Federation, and media personality Serwaa Amihere to explore how young people can take active roles in shaping Ghana’s future.
Following the opening sessions, participants will break into specialised groups for focused discussions. The “She Leads” breakout session will feature Hon. Zanetor Rawlings addressing young women about female leadership, alongside Shamima Muslim, a former female SRC president from UDS, and a representative from Plan International, providing inspiration and practical guidance for aspiring female leaders.
Another breakout session will focus on opportunities for youth in agriculture, with Hon. John Dumelo and a country representative from AGRA discussing how young people can tap into the agricultural sector for economic empowerment. Simultaneously, a youth entrepreneurship session led by Tony Senaya of Horseman Shoes will explore business opportunities and the entrepreneurial mindset needed for success.
The conference will also feature conversations on patriotism with cultural advocate Black Rasta among other speakers, ensuring that discussions encompass not just economic and political participation, but also cultural identity and national pride.
This comprehensive one-day event represents NYA’s commitment to creating meaningful dialogue between young Ghanaians and the systems that govern them, providing both information and inspiration for the next generation of national leaders. The conference’s holistic approach, covering leadership, agriculture, entrepreneurship, gender empowerment, and patriotism, reflects the diverse interests and potential contributions of Ghana’s youth population.
The postponement from August due to national mourning has only heightened anticipation for this gathering, which promises to be a significant step forward in youth empowerment and national development discourse in Ghana.
