{
  "id": 2236767,
  "title": "Your voice, your future – Opare Addo opens National Youth Forum 2026",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/your-voice-your-future-opare-addo-opens-national-youth-forum-2026",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T21:50:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/your-voice-your-future-opare-addo-opens-national-youth-forum-2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, inaugurated the inaugural National Youth Forum 2026 in Accra, convening young individuals and leaders of crucial youth-oriented organizations to deliberate on their issues and possibilities. The forum, hosted at the Kofi Ohene-Konadu Auditorium of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), served as a stage for youth to express their grievances and propose recommendations on how the government could better address their requirements. Under the slogan \"A Sound Youth, A Sound Nation: Your Voice. Your Future. Our Ghana,\" the forum united the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, National Youth Authority (NYA), Youth Employment Agency (YEA), National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), and National Service Authority (NSA). Mr Opare Addo expressed the forum's objective to provide young people with a chance to inform the government about what is effective, ineffective, and in need of alteration. He also encouraged the youth to transcend merely highlighting challenges and propose tangible solutions to the issues they face. The engagement occurred in the context of Ghana's predominantly youthful populace, with over 70% aged 35 or younger. Representatives of the agencies shared updates on programmes and prospects available for young people. Ruth Dela Seddoh, Director-General of the National Service Authority, revealed plans to amplify private-sector exposure for national service participants, anticipating that 60% of personnel would be allocated to private-sector organizations, while 40% would serve in the public sector. Malik Basintale, CEO of the Youth Employment Agency, stated that over 90,000 young individuals have been enlisted through various schemes, with more than 8,000 securing private-sector opportunities via collaborations. Osman Abdulai Ayariga, CEO of the National Youth Authority, highlighted the National Apprenticeship Programme, which integrates academic instruction with hands-on training. He disclosed that the program initially aimed at 10,000 apprentices but had certified 14,000 by 2025, with aspirations to scale it up to 100,000 young people. Eric Adjei, CEO of NEIP, unveiled initiatives to support entrepreneurs beyond skill acquisition, encompassing interactions with the Ghana Revenue Authority to tackle tax-related difficulties faced by businesses. The forum also tackled substance abuse, with Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission, warning young individuals against illicit drug use and motivating them to make decisions that safeguard their health, education, and future. The event granted young people a platform to directly interrogate the government and youth-focused agencies concerning employment, entrepreneurship, skill development, national service, and other concerns. The Ministry affirmed that the engagement formed part of endeavors to enhance discourse with young people and ensure their priorities shape youth-oriented policies and programs. The Ghana Youth Federation collaborated with the Ministry for the forum, with YFM serving as the media ally. Consequently, the National Youth Forum 2026 emerged as a platform for dialogue, accountability, and cooperation among young people, government, and entities accountable for youth development.",
  "summary": "Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has led the maiden National Youth Forum 2026 in Accra, bringing together young people and heads of key youth-focused agencies to discuss their challenges and opportunities.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}