The Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment has reaffirmed its commitment to creating opportunities for young Ghanaians to develop their skills, participate meaningfully in national development and thrive in the digital age.
The Ministry made the commitment as Ghana joins the global community to commemorate International Youth Day on August 12, 2026, under the global theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
Ghana is marking the occasion under the national theme, “Rebuilding Values, Inspiring Patriotism: Empowering the Youth in the Digital Age.”
In a statement issued by its Public Relations Unit, the Ministry said although young people grow up in different communities and face varying challenges, they share common aspirations for quality education, meaningful employment, innovation, dignity, inclusion and a better future.
It said the national theme complemented the global theme by highlighting the need to rebuild positive values, strengthen patriotism and equip young people with the digital skills and opportunities required to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven world.
The Ministry noted that young people across urban and rural communities, educational institutions, workplaces and entrepreneurial ecosystems continued to demonstrate resilience, creativity and determination.
Their contributions, it said, were evident in areas including business, technology, agriculture, the arts, sports, public service and community leadership.
According to the Ministry, young people should not be viewed merely as future leaders but as active agents of change who are already driving solutions to local and national challenges and contributing to Ghana’s social and economic transformation.
Five key priorities
As part of its youth empowerment agenda, the Ministry said it remained committed to expanding opportunities for skills development and lifelong learning, supporting youth entrepreneurship and innovation, and promoting decent employment and economic inclusion.
It also listed strengthening youth participation in governance and civic engagement, as well as advancing mental health awareness and psychosocial support, among its priorities.
The Ministry further pledged to ensure that no young person was left behind regardless of location, gender, ability or socioeconomic background.
It said the global theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” was also a call for greater collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, development partners, civil society organisations, educational institutions and communities.
Such collaboration, it said, was necessary to create an enabling environment in which every young person could thrive.
The Ministry also called on stakeholders to work together to rebuild values such as integrity, discipline, hard work and patriotism, while empowering young people to harness the opportunities of the digital age responsibly and productively.
As Ghana celebrates International Youth Day, the Ministry urged young people to pursue excellence, embrace innovation and continue making meaningful contributions to national development.
It said the differences in young people’s experiences should enrich the nation, while their common aspirations should unite them towards building a prosperous, inclusive and resilient Ghana where every young person has the opportunity to realisetheir full potential.
The Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment is responsible for coordinating and implementing policies aimed at promoting youth development and empowerment and ensuring that young people are equipped with the skills, opportunities and support required to contribute meaningfully to national development.