The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority, Madam Akosua Asaa Manu, has reiterated the Authority’s commitment to harness Ghana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to empower the Ghanaian youth to pursue successful business ventures.
Speaking at this year’s commemoration of Africa Youth Day held at the African Continental Free Trade Secretariat (AfCFTA) on Tuesday November 7, 2023 under the theme; “1 million next level is knocking: Youth-led Movement that transcends borders- entrepreneurship and innovation,” Madam Akosua Manu said that among the NYA’s core mandates is promoting entrepreneurial skills among the youth of Ghana.
“The National Youth Authority has had various initiatives such as Skills Towards Employability and Productivity (STEP), where young people are provided with artisanal skills to take advantage of entrepreneurial opportunities and workshops that equip them for successful skills and business ventures’’ she said.
The Authority, according to Madam Akosua, has also facilitated access to finance forums and sessions that provide insights into securing financial resources for businesses owned by the youth in Ghana.
The NYA is committed to take the Ghanaian youth to the next level. “Therefore, as African Union celebrates the 2023 Africa Youth under the theme “Youth-led Movement that transcends borders,” the NYA is poised to work tirelessly with its partners this year to achieve this aim,” the Deputy Chief Executive Officer stated.
Additionally, NYA has been engaging business leaders to mentor and inspire youth who will want to tread similar entrepreneurial paths.
“Therefore, as Africa gathers to celebrate African youth day, we reaffirm our commitment to showcasing entrepreneurial innovation to creating a supportive environment for our young entrepreneurs and to empower them with the practical knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the entrepreneurial world “she touted.
She also emphasized that the NYA together with its partners continue to pave the way for youth-led initiatives that transcend borders and bothers on the theme for this year’s Africa Youth Day Celebration in pursuit for a brighter future for the youth of Ghana and the African continent as a whole.
The African Union has set every 1st day of November as a day to celebrate the Africa Youth. According to the AU, Ghana is supposed to host the 2023 Africa Youth Day and outline programs for the celebration of the African youth for the whole month of November.
In attendance at this year’s commemoration were the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Usif, Miss Adjoa Nyanteng Yenyi, Program Specialist, Adolescent and Youth at the UNFPA, President of National Union of Ghanaian Students, Mr Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh, dignitaries from the AfCFTA, the National Service Secretariat and a section of the Ghanaian Youth.
‘The. Africa Youth Day’ was proclaimed and instituted as a day set aside every year to promote and increase recognition of youth as key agents for social change, economic growth and sustainable development in all areas of African Society.
By Clara Boadi Konadu