2024 National Youth Conference: NYA convenes over 2000 young Ghanaians, sets course for digital revolution

Young people are determined to positively impact Ghana's development, and the National Youth Authority (NYA) is helping them succeed – and spark a national movement.

From Sunday, August 11st Monday the 12th, NYA, together with partners United Nations (UN) and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) convened over 2000 young persons from across all 16 regions of the country at the just-ended third-annual National Youth Conference hosted at Pentecost Convention Centre in Gomoa Fetteh, Central Region.

The motive was to celebrate Ghana’s youth population as partners in national development by better understanding their digital activities and aspirations in order to support their role in driving positive change and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This follows this year’s International Youth Day theme, "From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”.

This was to be attained with significant contributions from numerous speakers from partner and invited institutions including the European Union (EU), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the Commonwealth Youth Council.

In an era where the proliferation of technology contributes in several diverse ways to globalisation and more specifically to national progress, the platform was both timely and critical for spotlighting potential socio-economic heights that can be attained when the digital prowess of Ghana’s youth is paired with digital tools and innovation.

Keynote speaker, Vice President H.E Dr Mahamudu Bawumia noted that the event forms part of government’s commitment to empowering Ghana’s youth population, particularly by enhancing their competence with digital technology.

“We live in a world facing challenges like inequality, climate change, and social injustice,” he said. “Despite these issues, I remain optimistic. Our youth in Ghana have shown remarkable enthusiasm for digital technologies, using them for entrepreneurship and innovation. However, gaps in digital literacy and limited opportunities still hinder their full participation in the digital economy.

“The government is therefore committed to closing these gaps and empowering the youth. Initiatives such as distributing 1.3 million free computer tablets to senior high school students and expanding telephony services under the Ghana Rural Telephony and Digital Inclusion Project are steps toward a more connected and digitally inclusive future.

“By prioritizing education and connectivity, we are laying the groundwork for a brighter, digitally-driven future for our nation.”

On his part, the Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif admonished participants to leverage the gathering to make their voices heard and to form sustainable networks that could influence national development.

“I am well aware of the challenges that still hinder our youth from fully contributing to national development, despite the investments made by government,” the Minister noted. “This is why the National Youth Authority has organised this event - not just to discuss young people, but to engage directly with you.

“We want this event to be a moment where we step back and listen to young people engage with one another. Our goal is to be inspired by your discussions, to follow your lead, and to heed your advice.”

At that, prominent youth leaders headed an appreciable amount of thought-provoking breakout sessions for Youth Peace and Security, Digital Agriculture, Youth Participation in Decision-Making, and Financial Inclusion and Youth Entrepreneurship, offering conferees the opportunity to dialogue with policymakers, and industry leaders on the role of digitalization in youth development and nation-building.

Celebrating 50 years of youth development

The 2024 National Youth Conference was not only opportune for acknowledging the numerous contributions that Ghana’s youth have made to her development, and exploring challenges and potential solutions to same, but also for celebrating the National Youth Authority’s Golden Jubilee.

The Authority's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Pius Enam Hadzide, delivered an inspiring opening address, emphasizing government’s unwavering dedication to maintaining a conducive environment for youth participation in cultural-socio-economic and political development.

“2024 marks 50 years of indefatigable dedication to development and advocacy efforts that have championed the rights and well-being of our resilient youth. That is also 50 years of dialoguing – listening to you, and ensuring that policies that you have requested of us are implemented to augment your own potential. That is 50 years of vicissitudes in youth development.

“Grateful to God that within the last seven years, however, a solid foundation has now been laid for holistic youth development. Your government sees where your interest lies. We see your contributions and your potential to push boundaries beyond what’s possible given your proficiency with digital technology.”

Implementing NYA’s flagship programmes

The 2024 National Youth Conference was also convenient for enacting the National Youth Volunteers Programme (NYVP), an initiative that allows for young people, irrespective of their educational backgrounds, and social and economic class, to have the opportunity to participate in nation-building.”

60 – This is the total number of young persons across the country who volunteered to assume various roles in the catering, security, first aid, ushering and stagehand departments at the Conference.

One such volunteer is Central Region’s Peace Annor, who submitted that her decision to volunteer follows “her first volunteerism experience with NYA at Youth Connekt Africa in 2021”.

“I registered as a volunteer for the National Youth Conference as a means of giving back to the community,” she said. “The Conference was a perfect opportunity for me to upskill myself in tolerance, and to learn to adapt to other people even under difficult certain conditions. In my opinion, this was one of the best places to be as a young person seeking to learn to adapt to new environments and new people.”

In the same vein, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) in charge of Operations and Programs, Nelson Owusu Ansah, in a presentation on ‘Volunteerism in Ghana’ enjoined an audience of over 100 young persons to seize all available avenues to volunteer, both at home and abroad.

“This is one of a kind,” admits Benedicta and Stephanie, both volunteers from Accra. “We came in here with expectations of long, boring lectures and discussions. However, the pragmatic nature of its teaching and training sessions have far exceeded our expectations.”