Youth Urged to Take Active Interest in National Issues as YES 2025 Ends in Tamale

The 2025 edition of the Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) has ended in Tamale with a strong call on young people to take active interest in national issues and assert themselves in decision-making processes that affect their lives and future.

The summit, an annual event organized by the Martha Inspires Foundation in partnership with MTN Ghana and the National Youth Authority, was held under the theme: “Amplifying Voices, Building Legacies.”

It brought together over 2,000 participants, mainly drawn from senior high schools, tertiary institutions, youth-centered organizations, entrepreneurs, and civil society groups across Northern Ghana.

Youth Underrepresentation in Governance

One of the major concerns raised at the gathering was the lack of adequate youth representation at the decision-making table.

Dr. Gloria Duah, a student leader and youth activist, lamented that policies and initiatives that directly affect young people are often designed and implemented by older generations, with little or no youth input.

“The problem in this country is that issues affecting youth are often discussed and decided by people who are out of the youthful age bracket. A typical example is the recent review of the National Youth Policy, which was carried out largely by older people. The consequences of these decisions are suffered by young people,” she said.

Dr. Duah further pointed to the low number of youth representatives in Parliament as evidence of the gap in youth involvement, urging young people to show interest in governance and policy discussions.

Calls for Mentorship and Networking

Rev. Aaron Lambon Fant, Head pastor for the Sanctuary of Wind and Fire Assemblies of God, one of the speakers, encouraged young people to deliberately build productive networks, stressing that relationships often determine access to opportunities.

“Your network determines your net worth. When you associate with people who are productive and forward-looking, you open doors to opportunities that can transform your life,” he advised.

Harnessing Opportunities

On his part, the Deputy CEO of the National Youth Authority (NYA) challenged young people to be proactive in identifying and taking advantage of emerging opportunities. He highlighted some entrepreneurial policies being rolled out by the NYA and urged participants to make good use of their talents and resources to become self-reliant.

Lessons in Resilience

Delivering a keynote address, Antoinette Kwofie, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of MTN Ghana, encouraged participants not to give up on their dreams regardless of the challenges they may encounter.

She shared her own journey to becoming the first female CFO of MTN Ghana, explaining how setbacks shaped her resilience and determination.“Failure is part of success. I failed many times, but I never gave up. Allow God to lead you, keep pushing, and eventually, your dreams will materialize,” she told the young audience.

Inspiring Story of Martha Inspires Foundation

The CEO of the Martha Inspires Foundation, Martha Anabila, used the platform to pay tribute to partners of the event for their support over the years.

She became emotional as she recounted her personal journey of overcoming self-doubt and discouragement, even from close relatives, to establish the Youth Empowerment Summit.

“Despite the initial challenges, I never gave up. Today, YES has become entrenched, and many people now include it as part of their annual calendar. My advice to young people is to stay focused on their life goals and never allow anyone to dictate their career paths,” she said.

Martha also urged parents to avoid imposing career choices on their children, emphasizing the importance of allowing young people to pursue their passions.

Decade of Impact

This year’s summit marked the 10th anniversary of YES, underscoring its consistency as a major youth development platform in Ghana. The program continues to inspire, mentor, and equip young people with the requisite knowledge and skills to become responsible adults and change agents in society.