Kumasi, Ghana — August 2026
The National Youth Conference (NYC) 2026 convened at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) under the theme “Rebuilding Values, Inspiring Patriotism: Empowering the Youth in the Digital Age,” bringing together youth delegates, government officials, development partners, and civil society representatives from across the country for two days of deliberation on the future of Ghana’s youth.
Day One: A Call to Nation-Building
The conference opened with reflections from the Master of Ceremonies on the significance of patriotism in the digital age, followed by an opening prayer led by Rev. Anthony Narh of KNUST.
A welcome address delivered on behalf of Hon. Frank Amoakohene, Ashanti Regional Minister, by the Municipal Chief Executive for Oforikrom Municipality, underscored the importance of patriotism and called on the youth to become nation-builders in practice, not merely in principle, while commending the National Youth Authority (NYA) for its work. Dignitaries and partner agencies in attendance, including representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNICEF, and the National Youth Federation (NYF), were formally acknowledged.
Prof. Christian Agyare, Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, welcomed delegates and spoke on empowering youth in the digital age, expressing confidence that the gathering would produce young people equipped with both digital competence and civic awareness. He emphasized that genuine empowerment must extend beyond recognition to encompass integrity, creativity, and perseverance.
Hon. Michael Kwesi Aidoo, Member of Parliament for Oforikrom, assured participants that concerns raised at the conference would be conveyed directly to Parliament, and committed to advocating for the restoration of the ten percent share of the national budget allocated to the NYA and related youth agencies. He also addressed the role of skills development, technology, and artificial intelligence in youth advancement.
Mr. Sherif Ghali, President of the Ghana Youth Federation, highlighted challenges confronting the youth — chief among them unemployment and the underfunding of youth-focused agencies while acknowledging positive government initiatives in this regard. Osman Abdulai Ayariga Esq., Chief Executive Officer of the NYA, delivered the opening statement, observing that youth status should be defined not strictly by age but by a mindset oriented toward developmental engagement, and called for greater responsibility in how digital platforms are used to disseminate knowledge.
The conference was officially opened by Hon. George Opare Addo, Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, who characterized the gathering not as an endpoint but as a call to action grounded in honesty, responsibility, and discipline. He announced that National Service Scheme (NSS) personnel would, going forward, be posted to the private sector rather than the public sector to improve prospects of post-service employment, and referenced the launch of the Adwuma Wura project to support youth employment.
Day One closed with a dedicated address on the ethical use of artificial intelligence by Prof. Akowuah, Director of the E-Learning Centre at KNUST, who cited global projections of 170 million new roles created and 92 million existing roles displaced by 2030, while drawing attention to AI-related challenges already emerging in Ghana, including its misuse in examinations and in cases of impersonation and fraud.
Day Two: International Youth Day
The conference’s second day, held on Wednesday, 12th August 2026, coincided with International Youth Day and was structured around a morning plenary session, a formal International Youth Day event, and a concurrent side event.
Plenary Session. Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Inusah Mahama, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Programs and Operations at the NYA, who called for young people to be meaningfully involved in decisions affecting their lives and future. Representatives of youth groups, including the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), the EU-Youth Sounding Board (EU-YSB), AFRIYAN Ghana, and TICAD, delivered remarks, with the EU-YSB and AFRIYAN Ghana representative encouraging the youth to pursue their ambitions without limitation. Statements followed from UNICEF, which stressed that youth — including persons with disabilities — deserve safe spaces to learn and develop digital and entrepreneurial skills, and from UNDP, which commended government collaboration with the NYA and addressed themes of peace and security.
The plenary also featured a cultural performance, a presentation and fashion display under the National Action Plan (NAP) showcasing youth-led creative work, and a panel discussion on “The Creator Economy: Positioning Ghana’s Digital Creatives as a National Economic Force.” Dr. Festus Aubyn of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) presented on the development of Ghana’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security, announcing that a revised roadmap is scheduled for launch in October.
International Youth Day Main Event. The programme opened with an inspection of the Guard of Honor mounted by the Ghana Cadet Corps, followed by the National Anthem rendered by the Ghana Police Band and the singing of the National Youth Anthem. Hon. Frank Amoakohene, Ashanti Regional Minister, delivered a welcome address, followed by a cultural interlude and a segment titled “Voices of Ghana Youth.” Solidarity messages were delivered by Osman Ayariga Esq., CEO of the NYA; Brigadier General Lawrence Deku, Deputy Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC); a representative of the European Union; and Mr. Zia Choudhury, United Nations Resident Coordinator. The event closed with a speech by Hon. George Opare Addo, Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment.
Side Event. A panel breakout session was convened on the theme “Ability, Access, Advantage: Positioning Youth with Disabilities in Ghana’s Digital and Patriotic Renewal,” led by the Network of Youth with Disability under the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD).
Conclusion
The National Youth Conference 2026 brought together government, development partners, and youth-led organizations in a shared reflection on patriotism, digital empowerment, and inclusive national development. AFES-Ghana was pleased to follow proceedings closely and remains committed to advancing the outcomes of this conference through its continued work in youth governance and civic engagement.
