Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to placing young people at the centre of national development, as young leaders, innovators and international partners gathered in Accra for the TICAD Youth Drive 2026.
The event, held under the theme “Youth Agenda 2063: From Vision to Action,” provided a platform for young people to share ideas, build partnerships and contribute to conversations on Africa’s development and international cooperation.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Youth and Sports, George Opare, said Ghana remained committed to creating an enabling environment for young people to lead, innovate and contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
He said the government recognised the enormous potential of Ghana’s youth and would continue to create opportunities while ensuring that young voices were heard in national development discussions.
“Young people must not simply be beneficiaries of development; they must be active partners and leaders in shaping the future we want,” the Minister said.
A major highlight of the event was the formal launch of the Africa-Japan Youth Alliance, which is expected to strengthen youth-led partnerships between Africa and Japan and create new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, knowledge exchange and leadership development.
The 2026 Youth TICAD Drive also sought to amplify the voices of young Africans within the broader Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) process and translate the aspirations of Agenda 2063 into practical actions driven by young people.
Mr Opare said Ghana would continue to work with development partners and the private sector to expand opportunities for young people, particularly in areas such as entrepreneurship, technology, innovation, skills development and leadership.
He stressed that Africa’s demographic advantage could only translate into sustainable development if young people were equipped with the skills, resources and platforms required to participate fully in the continent’s transformation.
The gathering brought together young leaders, innovators, policymakers and international partners, providing an opportunity to deepen dialogue on Africa-Japan relations and explore practical ways of advancing youth development.
The Minister further called for stronger partnerships that would move beyond discussions to concrete interventions capable of improving the lives and prospects of young people.
He said Ghana’s development journey must be inclusive, with young people positioned not at the margins but at the centre of decision-making and implementation.
The TICAD Youth Drive 2026 formed part of activities marking International Youth Day, reinforcing the call for greater investment in young people and stronger platforms for youth participation in development.
“Our youth must be carried along in our development journey. Government will continue to listen to young voices, create opportunities and provide the support needed for young people to lead, innovate and shape Ghana’s future,” Mr Opare said.
The launch of the Africa-Japan Youth Alliance is expected to provide an additional platform for young Africans and Japanese to build lasting partnerships and jointly contribute to achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063.
