Will This Be the Generation That Finally Gets a Seat at the Table?

“We have always believed that the youth aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow – they are the leaders of today. It’s time we give them the space and resources to lead now.” – Letitia Ohene Effah, Lead Person, Lead Afrique

For years, the youth of Ghana have been the unseen force driving the country’s development. However, their needs have often been sidelined in national policy discussions. Now, with the creation of the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, there is a renewed sense of optimism across the nation. This new ministry holds the promise of addressing the key challenges facing Ghana’s young population, particularly in entrepreneurship, education, and employment. But the big question remains: will this ministry be a transformative force or simply another bureaucratic institution?

To find the answer, we turn to the voices of Ghana’s leading youth advocates—individuals who have dedicated their lives to empowering young people and transforming Ghana’s landscape of leadership, entrepreneurship, and creative industries. Their insights offer a roadmap for the ministry to move beyond rhetoric and create tangible, lasting change.

Cedric Dzelu, the Executive Secretary of the Africa Youth Commission

Cedric Dzelu: Amplifying Youth Voices for Meaningful Change

One of the key voices advocating for youth empowerment is Cedric Dzelu, the Executive Secretary of the African Youth Commission. His organization has been instrumental in advocating for policies that promote the well-being of young people across Africa. Cedric highlights the importance of a robust youth policy—one that transcends mere education and encompasses resources, mentorship, and sustainable opportunities.

“Policies targeting youth development must be intentional,” Cedric says. “It’s not enough to focus only on education. We need to ensure youth have access to the right resources and opportunities to thrive.”

Cedric stresses that the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment must actively engage young people in decision-making processes. By doing so, the ministry will ensure that the policies created are grounded in the lived experiences of young people, who are often the most affected by current challenges.

“We need to empower youth, not just as recipients of aid, but as active partners in shaping policies that affect their future,” he states.

Gladstone Nditsi Kofi Kwawukume, CEO of Heritage of Africa

Gladstone Nditsi Kofi Kwawukume: Reinvigorating the Arts and Building Sustainable Careers

Gladstone Nditsi Kofi Kwawukume, CEO of Heritage of Africa, is another crucial figure working to uplift Ghana’s youth. His organization trains and mentors young people in the arts, especially in theater, and provides them with the tools to create sustainable careers in the creative economy. Gladstone is deeply committed to promoting arts and culture as both a form of expression and a viable economic opportunity.

“The arts have always been central to Africa’s identity,” he says. “We must ensure that young people have the skills and platforms to continue that legacy, making the arts not just a hobby, but a career path.”

Gladstone acknowledges that although progress has been made in improving education, targeted programs for young artists remain scarce. The Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, he believes, has a crucial role to play in fostering young talent in the creative sector.

“The Ministry must create platforms where young artists can thrive,” he adds. “Without financial backing and institutional support, however, these talents often go underfunded and unsupported. The arts sector has immense potential to contribute to the economy, but we need a clearer path to funding and recognition.”
Gladstone hopes the new ministry will address these gaps and create an environment where the arts sector can flourish sustainably.

Letitia Ohene Effah, co-founder of Lead Afrique

Letitia Ohene Effah: Redefining Leadership and Empowering the Youth

Letitia Ohene Effah, co-founder of Lead Afrique, has long been a champion of youth empowerment. Her organization focuses on equipping young people with leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and entrepreneurial mindsets—tools that are vital for success in today’s rapidly changing world. Letitia’s vision aligns closely with the new ministry’s objectives, particularly in the areas of leadership development and educational reform.

“Leadership is not about titles or positions,” Letitia explains. “It’s about the decisions you make and the actions you take every day. At Lead Afrique, we’ve always aimed to instill this mindset in young people.”

Letitia believes that the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment has the opportunity to be more than just a government body; it can be a catalyst for a generation of self-aware and responsible leaders. For her, this is not only about supporting youth to follow traditional paths but empowering them to forge their own.

“Empowerment begins with self-belief and understanding your purpose,” she says. “This ministry must give young people the space to lead—right now, not just in the future.”

Youth at Lead Afrique seminar

Addressing the Education-Employment Gap

A major challenge facing Ghana’s youth is the disconnect between education and employment. Letitia explains that Ghana’s education system continues to prioritize degrees, but too often these do not translate into meaningful, sustainable careers. “We need an education system that prepares young people not just for today’s jobs, but for tomorrow’s opportunities,” she urges.

This disconnect is starkly apparent when we consider that many of today’s academic subjects will be obsolete by the time many students graduate. The future job market demands skills in digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving—areas in which many current educational models fall short.

“We need to equip young people with adaptable skills that will make them resilient in a constantly changing world,” Letitia states. “The future is about adaptability, not just following instructions. The next generation of leaders must be able to think creatively and solve problems.”

Cedric Dzelu, the Executive Director of the African Youth Commission  interacting youngsters

A Collaborative Future

As the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment settles into its mandate, Letitia expresses her readiness to collaborate. “We’re here to partner,” she says. “But first, we need to give the ministry the space to define its approach. Once they’ve settled into their role, we’re ready to help them shape a program that truly meets the needs of young people.”

While the ministry is still in its early stages, its formation is a step in the right direction. The voices of Cedric, Gladstone, Letitia, and many others provide a powerful foundation for the kind of youth-focused policies that can make a real difference. The question remains: will the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment deliver on its promise to actively engage and empower Ghana’s youth, or will it simply be another layer of bureaucracy in an already complex system?

Ghana’s Youth: The Catalyst for Change

As Ghana stands at a pivotal moment, the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment holds the potential to lead the charge for a more inclusive, youth-driven future. By prioritizing education, skills development, and entrepreneurship, the ministry can empower young Ghanaians to be the changemakers their country needs.

If the ministry can move beyond rhetoric and translate its mandate into real, actionable programs, Ghana’s youth may well be poised to lead the nation into a brighter, more prosperous future.