NYA to host Youth Festival in August
Ghana is set to host its inaugural National Youth Festival this August, coinciding with International Youth Day on August 12, according to Mr. Osman Ayariga Esq., Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA).
Mr. Ayariga said NYA is hosting the landmark initiative to address the most pressing issues facing the Ghanaian youth today.
“It is not just about training and jobs, but also about the mental and emotional well-being of our youth,” he stated.
The Ghana Youth Festival will feature a series of conferences, forums, and campaigns focusing on mental health, drug abuse, unemployment, and other socio-economic challenges hindering the progress and productivity of young people across the country.
A special emphasis will be placed on mental health, which Mr. Osman Ayariga described as a critical foundation for youth development.
“If the mental health of our youth is not stable, then providing jobs and training alone will not yield the needed results,” he stressed.
The festival will also include a national street campaign against drug abuse, which has become a growing concern among Ghanaian youth. Topics such as youth entrepreneurship, digital literacy, leadership, and civic responsibility will also be explored during the week-long event.
The festival will culminate in youth-focused entertainment and recreational activities, providing a holistic experience that engages, celebrates, and empowers young people in all aspects.
“This is the first time in our history that the NYA is organizing something of this magnitude for the youth,” Mr. Ayariga added, emphasizing that the goal is to inspire change, build resilience, and promote nationwide youth inclusion.
Following the festival, a Youth Fellowship Programme is slated for October, providing young people with additional opportunities to learn, network, and take on leadership roles, as part of the National Youth Authority’s long-term plan.
The Ghana Youth Festival is expected to become an annual platform to unite the country’s youth, amplify their voices, and push for policies and interventions that will shape a more promising future.