Youth Groups in the Eastern Region are calling for robust policies that promote youth entrepreneurship, improve access to finance, and support startups, emphasizing the need for inclusive economic growth.
The groups underscored the importance of public-private partnerships to create sustainable employment opportunities, including mentorship and apprenticeship programs designed to equip young entrepreneurs with the skills and experience they need to grow.
They also called for special attention is to be given to disabled individuals, women, and marginalized communities to ensure they benefit from economic empowerment initiatives and have a voice in decision-making at all levels of governance.
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They further stressed the importance of addressing urban migration by creating incentives for businesses to remain and grow in the Eastern Region, ensuring local economies remain vibrant and opportunities are accessible to residents.
These were contained in a Communique issued at the end of the 2025 Ghana Youth Summit held in Koforidua in the Eastern Region Koforidua.
The two- day event was put together by STAR-Ghana Foundation, in collaboration with Youth Advocates Ghana, Kofkro Partners, the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly, and the National Youth Authority, with support from the Botnar Foundation.
Held under the Action for Youth Development (AfYD) project,the summit brought together over 500 young leaders, policymakers, civil society representatives, and private sector actors to deliberate on the theme: ‘Harnessing the Power of Youth for Transformative Development.”
Read the full Communiqué Below…
COMMUNIQUÉ
National Youth Summit (NYS, 2025)
November 5th – 6th, 2025, Koforidua
Harnessing the Power of Youth for Transformative Development
preamble
We, the participants of the National Youth Summit, convened from November 5th to 6th, 2025, at the Eastern Premier Hotel, Koforidua, in the New Juaben South Municipality, representing diverse youth voices, stakeholders, and leaders—policy makers and government, social entrepreneurs and innovators, youth leaders and youth organizations, thought leaders and academics, CSOs, media and non-profits and traditional authorities—gathered under the theme “Harnessing the Power of Youth for Transformative Development.”
The conference, convened by the STAR Ghana Foundation in collaboration with the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly, National Youth Authority, Youth Advocates Ghana, and Kofkro Partners, provided a platform to extensively discuss the power, influence, innovative ideas, and fresh perspectives of young people as catalysts for growth and sustained development in our communities.
We recognize that, beyond our numbers, young people play a critical role in shaping policies and development agendas, implementing impactful solutions at the grassroots where change stories are unfolding, and influencing national policies. We aim to cultivate a collective movement toward a brighter future where young people thrive, contribute to transformative development, and empower their communities.
We resolve to overcome challenges of participation and seize opportunities through inclusive civic spaces, accountability, and leadership empowerment. We affirm our commitment to harnessing the immense potential of young people as enablers of progressive growth. Recognizing the vital role of youth in shaping a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future, we issue this communiqué to outline our shared vision, key resolutions, and actionable commitments.
Key Resolutions
- Youth Empowerment through Education and Skills Development
- Advocate for equitable access to quality education at the basic school level and vocational training tailored to the demands of the 21st-century economy.
- Promote Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education to equip youth with innovative and entrepreneurial skills.
- Expand mentorship networks and practical learning partnerships between educational institutions and local industries.
- Integrate drug abuse awareness and mental health education into basic school curricula. One youth advocate cited Hon. George Opare-Addo that “26% of first-time drug users are under 15 years old,” urging proactive prevention.
- Economic Inclusion and Job Creation
- Call for policies that foster youth entrepreneurship, access to finance, and support for startups.
- Encourage public-private partnerships to create sustainable employment opportunities, including mentorship and apprenticeship programs for young entrepreneurs.
- Ensure targeted support for differently abled persons, women, and deprived communities to benefit from economic empowerment and decision-making at all levels of governance.
- Connect resources to impactful solutions, creating avenues for youth to learn, innovate, and lead.
- Address urban migration by incentivizing businesses to remain in the Eastern Region
- Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability
- Mobilize youth-led initiatives to combat environmental degradation, such as illegal mining, and promote green technologies.
- Advocate for the inclusion of young voices in national and global climate policy dialogues.
- Defend our land and natural resources for the public good.
- Promote circular economy solutions to reduce waste and environmental harm by empowering the youth to transform waste into valuable products , including beautiful art pieces-these efforts are creating green jobs, reducing pollution, and turning environmental threats into opportunities
- Collaborate with NYA and local assemblies to mainstream environmental education in youth and community programs.
- Youth Leadership and Governance
- Demand greater representation of youth in decision-making processes at all levels.
- Promote civic education to empower young people to actively take part in governance and democratic processes.
- Hold duty bearers accountable and demand action against corruption.
- Advocate for increased budget allocations at decentralized assemblies to enhance participatory governance at district, regional, and national levels.
- Enhance transparency by promoting use of the Right to Information Act (Act 989).
- Digital Transformation, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
- Leverage digital tools and platforms to enhance youth participation in development initiatives.
- Support youth-driven innovations in technology to address societal challenges.
- Promote youth entrepreneurship as a pathway to employment by diversifying and increasing youth-owned businesses and SMEs.
- Strengthen the network of youth-led digital enterprises and connect them with national and regional innovation funds.
Actionable Commitments
Government:
We call on the government and policymakers to:
- Allocate resources and implement policies that prioritize youth development and inclusion through youth-responsive budgeting.
- Provide resources and support for mental health and well-being for young people.
- Promote diversity, inclusion, and access to social services without limitations.
- Introduce education on drug abuse and its effects as part of the curriculum from the basic level to foster healthy development, improve personal well-being, and enable young people to function effectively in society.
- Create incentives to retain private investment in regional economies to reduce youth migration.
Private Sector:
- Partner with youth organizations to provide mentorship, funding, and opportunities for innovation and startups.
- Adopt policies that promote inclusive hiring and invest in building youth soft skills alongside technical expertise.
Youth Organizations:
- Mobilize and unite young people to advocate for their rights and actively contribute to national and global development.
- Seize opportunities designed to support youth growth and development provided by government agencies, recruitment agencies, NGOs, and other relevant institutions.
- Leverage digital platforms to expand participation in local and national development initiatives.
- Continue building on the Youth Manifesto as a participatory policy tool.
International Development Organizations:
- Support capacity-building programs and initiatives that empower youth to lead transformative change.
- Strengthen partnerships for digital inclusion, gender equality, and green entrepreneurship.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs):
- Build partnerships with young people to support education, skills training, mentorship, and access to resources.
- Create supportive environments and safe spaces where youth can engage collaboratively while benefiting from mutual support at community, national, and global levels.
- Redefine activism to embrace inclusivity, citizen-centered approaches, and non-partisanship.
- Mobilize young people to adopt digital tools for dialogue and feedback.
- Partner with youth to defend natural resources and land.
- Inspire young people to work in solidarity for long-term systemic change over short-term gains.
Conclusion
We, the participants at this gathering, pledge to work collaboratively to ensure that the energy, creativity, and resilience of youth are fully harnessed for transformative development. Together, we will build a future that is inclusive, sustainable, and driven by the aspirations of young people.
Adopted this Day, November 6, 2025, at the Eastern Premier Hotel in the Eastern Region.
Signed:
Anchito Foundation for Education and Self Help
New Juaben South Youth Parliament
Bibia B3 Y3 Fine Association
Divine Mother and Child Foundation
National Youth Authority
New Juaben South Municipality
Youth Advocates Ghana
