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Governments across Africa continent have been tasked to place young people at the very heart of politics, governance and decision making, as young people are becoming increasingly involved in politics for youth inclusion in government is perceived as a catalyst of change.
This was made known when Her Excellency Mrs. Francess Virgina Anderson ,Sierra Leone High Commissioner to Ghana delivered a key note address on behalf of His. Excellency Dr. Julius Madda Bio, President of Sierra Leone at Young African Leaders summit 2021 .
She was of the view that, African leaders must be seen to be preparing the African youth to the current and future world of work while paying keen attention to mentoring and coaching of young people for transformational leadership which resonates with a trajectory of Africans rising.
On his part Mr.Mustapha Ussif, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Republic of Ghana,encouraged the youth to take control of their own destiny by learning new skills and taking advantage of training opportunities that will add up value to themelves whether formal or informal and cultivating the habit of saving and embrace entrepreneurship to enable them become job creators.
Hon. Dr. Kirsty Leigh Coventry, Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Republic of Zimbabwe, advised the youth to continue to work hard, raise their voices, show commitment, and support each other.
Speaking at the same event,Hon. Yar Telar Ring Deng, Member of Parliament, Yirel West Constituency, Republic of South Sudan said, young people have taken their rightful positions in politics, leadership, entrepreneurship, retelling and changing the African story.
Mr. Kofi Amoa-Abban, CEO of Rigworld Group stated during the gathering that ,it is importance of partnerships, and tasks youth to create partnerships first, by building trust and encouraging both parties to focus on values and growth.
Other Keynote and Guest speakers included H.E. Harriet Clare Thompson, British High Commissioner to Ghana, Senator Millicent Omanga of Kenya, Gloria Boye-Doku, Partner at Deloitte and many other dignitaries.
Scores of Young African Leaders (YAL) converged in Ghana’s capital, Accra, to participate in a three-day summit held at the Accra International Conference Center (AICC).
The summit organized by Young Global Leaders Network (YGLN) brought together with young and passionate Africans from the continent held under the theme; ‘African Youth Transforming Vision and Ideas into Action.
Some areas of interest that were discussed during the summit included impact of climate change in Africa, engaging the youth in policy making process, factors influencing Agripreneurship among others.
The three young leaders were awarded with the African Youth Badge which celebrates and recognizes young leaders shaping Africa in their various disciplines despite the significant effect of COVID -19 on life and businesses.
Personalities celebrated and awarded at the summit were Hon. Dr. Kirsty Leigh Coventry, Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Republic of Zimbabwe, Mr. Charles Ohene Kwame Frimpong, Investor and Entrepreneur, Founder of Salt Media Gh, Charlotte Magayi, Founder & CEO of Mukuru Clean Stoves, Republic of Kenya, and Hon. Yar Telar Deng, Member of Parliament for Yirol West Constituency.
Twenty (20) Young African Entrepreneurs who have challenged the status quo, excelled in their entrepreneurial journey, made a huge impact in 2020/2021 and are role models to other young aspiring entrepreneurs in Africa were also recognized and celebrated.
The twenty (20) Young African Entrepreneurs recognized were Munyaradzi Gwatidzo (Zimbabwe), Anthony Dzamefe (Ghana), Bernice Dapaah (Ghana), Charles Lipenga (Malawi), Odunayo Eweniyi (Nigeria), Alain Nteff (Cameroon), Jeph Boatey Acheampong (Ghana), Danny Manu (Ghana), Emeka Ajene (Nigeria) and Saran Kaba Jones (Liberia).
The rest are Olugbenga Agboola (Nigeria), Charles Ohene Kwame Frimpong (Ghana), lyinoluwa Aboyeji (Nigeria), Mark Doumba, (Gabon), Rose Oduro (Ghana), Nana Opoku Agyeman-Prempeh (Ghana), Barclay Paul Okari (Kenya), Hellen Dausen (Tanzania), Fatoumata Ba (Senegal) and Trushar Khetia (Kenya).
Delegates at the summit worked together to draft the Africa Youth Manifesto 2021, a declaration that according to them will be submitted to Heads of States on the continent and the African Union.
The delegates led by the founder of Young African Leaders Summit and Young Global Leaders Network, Emmanuel Addo, paid a courtesy call on former President of Ghana, President John Agyekum Kufuor at his residence where he engaged and advised the youth to be missionaries of change and focus on humanity and advised the delegation to be united and work together to realize the Africa we seek and encouraged them to master the act of negotiation.
The summit was graced by some of the continent’s finest young leaders and professionals who ceased the occasion to empower delegates.
Mr. Emmanuel Addo, the founder and Chief Convener of Young African Leaders Summit and Young Global Leaders Network, also used the occasion to advise the youth to take their destinies into their own hands and be the change that they want to see and advised the them to believe in themselves.
He encouraged the delegates to endeavor to explore new ways of solving societal problems to develop the African continent. The Young Global Leaders Network consists of Young Social and Business Entrepreneurs, Young politicians, Young diplomats, Young business leaders, Innovators, Educators, policy makers, young professionals, future leaders and Talented Young men and women changing the world with their talents.
The network seeks to be the world’s leading organization that trains, mentors, and prepares young leaders especially across Africa for diplomacy, politics, business leadership and entrepreneurship.
The summit was partnered by RwandAir, Kud’s original puff puff, Taragon Edge, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Sapphire Community Group, UK, and UNYA-GH.
