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Story by, Paul Mensah Nsor
The 2025 National Youth Festival has officially commenced with a special Islamic Dialogue session held at the National Mosque in Accra. The event marks the beginning of a month-long celebration of Ghanaian youth empowerment, organized by the National Youth Authority (NYA) in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment.
Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare Addo, reiterated the government's commitment to celebrating young people throughout August and encouraging their participation in nation-building. He highlighted several transformative initiatives launched by the government, including.
-National Apprenticeship Program, providing practical training for young people
- One Million Coders initiative, equipping young people with digital skills
- Adwumawura Program, offering entrepreneurship support and skills training
These programs aim to empower young people, especially those from under-resourced backgrounds, to become globally competitive and contribute meaningfully to national growth.
The minister expressed deep concern over the growing problem of drug abuse among youth and announced a targeted public awareness campaign called "Red Means Stop" to combat substance abuse. The campaign will focus on school-based interventions, culturally sensitive approaches, and evidence-based research, aiming to promote behavioral change, mental health awareness, and youth-friendly services ²
A new faith-based component has been introduced under the Youth in Apprenticeship and Education (YAE) program, which will recruit Islamic scholars to serve as teachers in Makaranta schools. This initiative aims to preserve Islamic knowledge while ensuring quality instruction in local communities.
The National Youth Festival will feature various activities throughout August, including
-Nationwide Clean-Up Exercise: promoting community development and environmental sustainability
-Health Walk against Substance Abuse: raising awareness about the dangers of substance abuse
-Youth Dialogue with Religious Leaders, fostering interfaith dialogue and cooperation
-National Youth Conference: discussing key issues affecting Ghana's youth
-Climate Action Summit*: addressing climate change and environmental sustainability
-National Youth Carnival*: celebrating youth creativity and innovation
The festival serves as a call to action for young people to become change agents in their communities, promoting national development and progress.