Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Abdullai Ayariga, has called on Ghanaian youth to take advantage of economic empowerment opportunities as a solution to the many financial constraints facing young people in the country.
According to him, the pathway to addressing youth unemployment and financial hardship lies in the ability of young people to identify, embrace, and maximise opportunities that promote economic independence and long-term sustainability.
Mr. Ayariga made the remarks during Wednesday’s morning session of the International Youth Empowerment Summit (IYES) 2026 held at the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA).
Addressing participants at the summit, he emphasised the need for young people to adopt a proactive approach towards entrepreneurship, skills development, and innovation as critical tools for economic advancement.
He further encouraged the youth to position themselves by taking advantage of the many initiatives provided by the government including Adwumawura, National Apprenticeship Programme, and the 1 million Coders Programme.
“Our priority is to economically empower young people not just within the boundaries of Ghana but beyond. And that is why His Excellency, the President has introduced so many programmes to help many young people.”
Mr. Ayariga noted that the role of the youth in national development cannot be overstated, adding that the economic empowerment of young people remains central to the country’s broader development agenda.
The International Youth Empowerment Summit 2026 organized by Pastor Brian Amoateng, brings together young leaders, professionals, and stakeholders to discuss strategies aimed at strengthening youth participation in leadership, innovation, and economic growth.





