More than 70% of Ghana’s population is aged 35 years and below, putting young people at the centre of the country’s development agenda as the government prepares to engage them directly at the National Youth Forum 2026.
The forum, scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the Kofi Ohene Konadu Auditorium at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), will provide young Ghanaians with an opportunity to raise concerns, share ideas and outline their priorities and expectations on issues affecting their lives and future.
Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, is expected to lead the engagement under the theme, “A Sound Youth, A Sound Nation: Your Voice. Your Future. Our Ghana.”
The forum is aimed at strengthening engagement between young people, government and institutions responsible for developing and implementing youth-focused policies and programmes.
Mr Opare Addo will be joined by the heads of key agencies under the ministry, including the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority, Osman Abdulai Ayariga; Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency, Malik Basintale; Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme, Eric Adjei; and Director-General of the National Service Authority, Ruth Dela Seddoh.
Their participation is expected to allow young people to engage directly with institutions responsible for employment, entrepreneurship, skills development and national service programmes.
The Ministry is partnering with the Ghana Youth Federation to widen participation and bring perspectives from young people across different backgrounds and parts of the country into the national youth policy conversation.
The forum will also be amplified through YFM stations in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi, as well as affiliate and digital platforms.
Young people unable to attend physically will be able to follow the engagement through livestreams on the Ministry’s social media platforms and live coverage by major media organisations.
The Ministry is urging young people attending the forum to come prepared to raise issues that affect them and offer ideas that could help shape a more responsive youth development agenda.
