Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) and Convener of the Youth Sub-Platform of the Ghana Civil Society Organizations Platform on the SDGs, has called on Ghana’s youth to embrace unity and strategic action in driving national development.
He delivered the message at the National Youth Leaders Forum organized by the Ghana Youth Federation (GYF) at the British Council Auditorium in Accra on 4th December 2025, during the validation of the Federation’s National Strategic Action Plan (NSAP).
Speaking to a gathering of youth leaders, civil society actors, development partners, and institutional representatives from across the country, Dr. Wemakor emphasized that youth empowerment is a right, not a privilege.
He urged that the NSAP must be more than a document—it must actively guide policy, amplify youth voices, and deliver real, measurable change for young people nationwide.
“This is a moment of alignment, reflection, and shared responsibility. We are here to shape a plan that speaks to the aspirations, struggles, and limitless potential of Ghana’s youth. A plan that must not sit on shelves but actively influence policy, empower young leaders, and drive institutional responses to the real needs of our youth,” Dr. Wemakor said.
He highlighted the importance of structured, non-partisan, youth-led governance anchored in the National Youth Authority Act (Act 939) and urged youth leaders to ensure the NSAP addresses youth employment, entrepreneurship, human rights, ethical leadership, and inclusive participation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Dr. Wemakor also called for strong partnerships to create global opportunities for all Ghanaian youth.
“Let today remind us that the future we envision depends on the choices we make, the courage we demonstrate, and the unity we build.
The NSAP will only be as strong as our collective will to implement it,” he declared, pledging the full support of HRRG and the Youth Sub-Platform to ensure the Plan becomes a living, transformative tool for Ghana’s youth.
The Forum also heard from Mr. Ali Ibraheem, National Coordinator of GYF, who presented the draft NSAP.
He explained that the Plan, developed after a strategic retreat following the Federation’s activation in September, had been shared with youth leaders via a dedicated WhatsApp platform to ensure broad participation.
Mr. Ibraheem outlined the realities shaping the Plan: 73% of Ghana’s population is under 35, yet only 4% of youth groups are formally registered; youth unemployment is rising; and 60% of young people lack digital literacy. Anchored in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and national policies, the Plan focuses on representation, empowerment, policy advocacy, and civic participation, supported by pillars of institutionalization, district mobilization, youth diplomacy, and flagship programs—including the Ghana Youth Index Report.
The roadmap includes activating youth structures in all 267 districts by the end of 2026, participation in Technical Working Groups to refine the NSAP, and transparent governance guided by the District Regional Governance (DRGs) Charter, ensuring elections and leadership transitions are free from political interference.
The Plan’s funding model targets GHS 5.83 million through government allocations, private sector contributions, and international partners, including ongoing collaboration with UNFPA.
Mr. Sherif Ghali, President of GYF, warned that disunity among youth organizations is the biggest threat to collective influence. “We have a very developed youth ecosystem, but it is weak. Our problem is unity,” he stated, pledging engagement with national authorities to present a unified youth agenda.
Mr. Osman Abdulai Ayariga Esq., CEO of the National Youth Authority, praised the Federation’s independence under Act 939, noting that unity among youth organizations multiplies influence rather than diminishes it.
Representing the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Mr. Casper Sunday Capoli highlighted the entrepreneurial drive of Ghanaian youth, noting that seven out of ten young people aspire to start businesses.
He urged collaboration over parallel initiatives and announced NEIP’s training programs for 10,000 young people.
Dr. Elom Hillary Otchi, Technical Director at the Africa Institute of Healthcare Quality Safety and Accreditation, challenged youth leaders to move from policy drafting to policy implementation, emphasizing digital literacy, accountability, and forward-looking skills as essential for preparing young people for a rapidly evolving world.
The National Youth Leaders Forum concluded with a strong message: unity, strategic action, and a shared commitment to empowering Ghana’s youth.
Dr. Wemakor’s lead call for cohesion, combined with the Federation’s comprehensive NSAP, sets the stage for a coordinated, empowered, and impactful youth sector across all 267 districts of Ghana.
