2026 National Youth Conference: Take an active role in national development – NYA CEO urges youth

The National Youth Authority (NYA) CEO, Osman Abdulai Ayariga, has encouraged Ghanaian youth to actively participate in the country’s development at the 2026 National Youth Conference held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi. Mr Ayariga emphasized that young people must recognize their ability to shape national development through their ideas, skills, leadership, and civic engagement.

The conference, themed “Rebuilding Values, Inspiring Patriotism: Empowering the Youth in the Digital Age,” aimed to give young people a platform to discuss critical issues affecting their lives and the nation. Mr Ayariga urged participants to contribute actively to the discussions, challenging them to ask challenging questions and share their experiences and ideas.

He stressed that young people should not wait for formal positions or age before taking responsibility for their communities and the country. The NYA CEO affirmed the Authority’s commitment to strengthening youth participation in decision-making processes at various levels, in partnership with the Ghana Youth Federation and other stakeholders.

Mr Ayariga called for participants to establish meaningful connections, identify mentors, share ideas, and develop practical solutions during the conference. He challenged the youth to leave with a renewed determination to contribute to Ghana’s development, noting that the nation's future is already being shaped by the choices made by young people today.