The Ada Youth Summit 2025, held at the Ada College of Education under the stirring theme “The Paradigm Shift,” concluded on Thursday with a clarion call for Ghana’s young leaders to chart a transformative path toward community service, entrepreneurial excellence, and responsive governance.
Organized collaboratively by the Tapioca Foundation and the Ada College of Education, the Summit drew hundreds of delegates from across the region, setting the stage for meaningful preparations ahead of the 88th Ada Asafotufiam Festival.
From the moment participants registered and engaged in traditional and Christian opening prayers, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. Mr. Maxwell Bunu, Head of Student Affairs, welcomed guests and underscored the urgency of rethinking youth engagement in a rapidly changing world. He challenged attendees to embrace both innovation and resilience as cornerstones of their personal and collective journeys.
A highlight of the morning session was the Founders’ Podium, where Seth Priceless Ala-Amegavie, Convener of the Summit, delivered a keynote reflection titled “Called to Serve My Generation.” Drawing from a powerful narrative of sacred purpose, Mr Ala-Amegavie reminded young people that “silence in the face of injustice is complicity” and urged them to channel their talents toward solutions rather than spectatorship. His words resonated deeply: “We are here on assignment… The world doesn’t need more spectators—it needs more stewards.”
Over the course of the day, five thematic panels offered expert insights and actionable strategies:
- Innovation and resilience of youth-led enterprises: Bryte Tenbil (Hyperlink Africa), Prince Akpah (Avance Media), and Diana Mamley Sackitey (Triplex Cleaning Services) shared their journeys of transforming ideas into impact, emphasizing the necessity of adaptability in dynamic markets.
- Business development, entrepreneurship & agribusiness: With Agripreneurship at its heart, speakers like Nana Abrokwa Asare (Nabrok Group) and Frank Addae (CediConvert) explored how technology and new financing models can unlock youth-driven wealth creation.
- Career development, technology & mentorship: Dr. Godwin Gaduga and Divine Puplampu illuminated the critical role of mentorship and AI fluency in navigating the Fourth Industrial Revolution. “The New World of AI: What the Youth Must Know” became both mantra and mission for attendees eager to future-proof their careers.
- Leadership, policy & governance: Moderated by Leonora Adjin-Tetteh, this session featured Nathaniel Tetteh (NSA Eastern Region), Dr. Divine Kabutey Agyemang-Lardey (Roche), and traditional authorities Asafoatser Osrama Gaduga VI and Torgbui Ashiagbor IV. They challenged youth to transcend tokenistic participation and assume genuine power in policy-making.
- Ladies’ Lounge—Women leading the paradigm shift: From Eunice Lasi to Bridget Bonnie, panelists shared powerful testimonies of overcoming gender barriers, inspiring young women to lead decisively in business and politics.
The ceremonial lighting of the Summit torch by Nene Agudey Obichere III, Manklalo of the Ada State, symbolized unity and hope for the collective future. As the flame danced against the summer sky, participants vowed to carry forward the Summit’s momentum into the upcoming Asafotufiam Festival, ensuring that youth voices remain central to cultural revival and community development.
Closing prayers and benedictions marked the culmination of a day rich in vision and resolve. Attendees left not merely informed, but transformed—armed with new networks, refined mindsets, and a recommitted sense of civic duty.
As preparations for the 88th Ada Asafotufiam Festival accelerate, the echoes of “The Paradigm Shift” will surely reverberate through every procession, drumming circle, and durbar, reminding all that the festival’s vibrancy is powered by the rising generation’s unwavering service.
Indeed, as Mr Ala-Amegavie affirmed, “Our generation will not be remembered by what we had, but by what we gave… I am ready. Called. Committed. Commissioned.” With those words as both pledge and prophecy, the Ada Youth Summit 2025 has set a high bar for youth-led progress in Ghana and beyond.
