Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs, Sherif Ghali, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for his decisive step in fulfilling his manifesto promise to decouple the Youth Ministry.
In a statement, Mr. Ghali praised the appointment of George Opare Addo as the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, describing it as a critical move toward addressing the challenges and harnessing the potential of Ghanaian youth.
“George Opare Addo’s vast experience in youth-focused initiatives positions him as the right leader to guide the new ministry. His ability to engage stakeholders, coupled with his passion for youth issues, will be instrumental in driving effective reforms and impactful programmes for the young people of Ghana,” said Mr. Ghali.
Mr. Ghali urged the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments to expedite the confirmation process to enable the ministry to address pressing youth-related issues swiftly. He further called on Mr. Opare Addo to work closely with experienced youth leaders and stakeholders to ensure that the ministry’s strategies align with the needs and aspirations of the youth population.
Ghana Youth Federation
Highlighting the importance of youth inclusion, Mr. Ghali reiterated the urgent need to establish the Ghana Youth Federation, as mandated by the National Youth Authority Act of 2016.
“For the past eight years, youth leaders across Ghana have championed the creation of a National Youth Federation. This platform is essential for amplifying the voices of young people, ensuring their active participation in decision-making processes at the national, regional and district levels. It is time for this vision to materialise, and the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs is ready to provide guidance and support in this regard,” he stated.
Advancing youth entrepreneurship and innovation
As a strong advocate for youth entrepreneurship, Mr. Ghali emphasised the need for the ministry to prioritise initiatives that foster entrepreneurship and innovation among the youth.
“Youth entrepreneurship is a proven catalyst for economic growth and job creation. By equipping young entrepreneurs with the necessary skills, resources and access to funding, we can tackle unemployment and spur innovation across sectors,” he noted.
Mr. Ghali highlighted the chamber’s track record in empowering over 4,200 young entrepreneurs and influencing policy reforms that support start-up ecosystems. He pledged the chamber’s readiness to collaborate with the ministry in designing and implementing programmes that unlock the entrepreneurial potential of Ghanaian youth.
Collaborative stakeholder engagement
Mr. Ghali called for comprehensive stakeholder engagement to ensure the ministry’s programmes are inclusive and responsive.
“Collaboration with private sector actors, non-governmental organisations and youth-led institutions will be critical in addressing the multi-dimensional challenges facing young people in Ghana today. The ministry must create an environment that encourages synergy among stakeholders to maximise impact,” he said.
Final remarks
Concluding his statement, Mr. Ghali reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to championing youth development initiatives and called on all stakeholders to rally behind the new ministry in its mission to transform the lives of Ghana’s youth.
