The Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Abdulai Ayariga Esq., has charged young Ghanaians to embrace their role as architects of national transformation, as the 2025 National Youth Conference officially opened under the theme "Igniting Potential; Inspiring Change."
Welcoming hundreds of delegates drawn from all 16 regions of the country, Osman Abdulai Ayariga described the gathering as a defining moment for the nation's youth. "You are not just attendees; you are the very heart and soul of this gathering. This space was created for you," he declared.
The three-day conference, which brings together policymakers, development partners, traditional leaders, and private sector actors, is designed to equip young people with the skills, knowledge, and platforms to lead change in their communities and beyond.
According to Osman Abdulai Ayariga, the theme is not a mere slogan but a call to action. "Within every young Ghanaian lies a dormant spark of genius -- whether in technology, the arts, entrepreneurship, or governance. Our collective mission is to fan that spark into a flame that will illuminate your path and inspire transformative change across our nation," he said.
He anchored his address in continental and national frameworks, stressing that the African Youth Charter guarantees young people's rights to education, skills development, and participation in governance. "This conference is our practical commitment to making that Charter a living reality for every Ghanaian youth," he noted.
At the national level, Osman Abdulai Ayariga highlighted the National Youth Policy (2022-2032) as the blueprint guiding empowerment efforts. Breakout sessions covering artificial intelligence, climate action, mental health, entrepreneurship, and civic participation are, he explained, "direct translations of the Policy's strategic objectives from paper into practice."
He outlined four key objectives of the conference:
* To ignite potential by offering masterclasses and workshops that build future-proof skills.
* To inspire change by providing a platform for young voices to influence national policy.
* To connect youth to mentors, partners, and resources that can transform ideas into enterprises.
* To celebrate excellence through the National Youth Awards.
"This is more than a talk shop," Osman Abdulai Ayariga emphasized. "The exhibition stands are not just for display; they are for deal-making. The networking sessions are for building your next founding team."
He concluded with a rallying call to participants: "Engage passionately, question fearlessly, network intentionally, and dream audaciously. You are the architects of a new Ghana. Let us ignite our potential and together, inspire the change we want to see."