The story of societal progress is incomplete without acknowledging the central role of young people as catalysts for transformation. This truth was recognised as far back as 1965 when the UN General Assembly began emphasizing youth empowerment. The commitment deepened in December 1999 with the declaration of International Youth Day (IYD), first celebrated on August 12, 2000. Since then, IYD has grown into a global platform that not only celebrates youth contributions but also raises awareness of the challenges they face, while spotlighting their role in shaping communities and the world.
Each year, IYD adopts a theme that highlights pressing global issues and the role of young people in addressing them. This year’s focus, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” calls on the global community to reflect on youth as powerful drivers of sustainable development—particularly in climate action, innovation, and food security. Locally, it reminds us that empowering young people is not just about giving them a voice, but about enabling them to make visible and lasting impact in their communities.
One organisation at the forefront of this commitment is the Mastercard Foundation, along with its partners, including the Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC). Together, they are shifting the narrative from youth being heard to youth being seen as change agents—through education, entrepreneurship, climate action, and policy implementation.
Africa’s Youth Dividend
Africa sits at the heart of the global youth narrative. By 2030, 42% of the world’s youth will live in Africa, with 75% of the population under the age of 35. This positions the continent as the youngest and fastest-growing region globally—a demographic advantage that presents both enormous opportunities and challenges.
In Ghana, the 2021 Population and Housing Census revealed that 38.2% of the population—around 11.7 million people—are youth aged 15 to 35. This vibrant demographic shift signals not only energy and creativity but also the strategic potential for innovation, leadership, and sustainable growth.
Yet, resource gaps remain a major obstacle. Like much of Africa, Ghana faces challenges in equipping its youth with the tools they need. Despite this, young people are stepping up to confront pressing global challenges, particularly climate change. From climate-smart farming to clean tech and green businesses, African youth are leading the charge to safeguard their own futures.
Agri-Innovation as a Pathway to Sustainability
In a world grappling with climate change and food insecurity, youth empowerment is not just a moral obligation—it is a strategic investment. Agriculture, once seen as an outdated career path, is being reinvented through technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. This transformation is creating a new generation of agripreneurs who are reshaping how food is produced, processed, and distributed.
Young people bring energy, bold ideas, and a fresh perspective to entrenched agricultural challenges. From precision farming and digital marketplaces to sustainable irrigation, food preservation, and processing innovations, youth-led solutions are pushing us closer to food security and climate resilience.
To unlock this potential, youth need mentorship, incubators, skills training, financial support, and collaborative networks. Partnerships across government, private sector, civil society, and international organisations are essential in sustaining these opportunities.
The Role of Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC)
The Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) is a leading example of how partnerships can transform youth potential into tangible impact. KIC supports young leaders who are developing innovative solutions to challenges in agriculture. Its programs span senior high schools, tertiary institutions, SMEs, and rural communities, directly impacting jobs and livelihoods.
Working in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation and partners like Kosmos Energy, KIC has achieved remarkable milestones:
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Impacted 58,425+ young leaders and students with mindset shifts about agriculture.
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Nurtured 1,000+ AgriTech solutions and launched 250+ AgriTech start-ups.
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Helped youth-led businesses raise $22.7 million in grants and equity.
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Through its School Farm Project, trained 50,336 students across 560 schools in 2024, with plans to expand to 700 schools in 2025.
Its flagship KIC Incubation Program, a structured accelerator, equips AgriTech start-ups with the tools to scale and become investor-ready after progressing through ideation, product development, and pilot phases.
These initiatives show how structured support, when paired with innovation and collaboration, can empower young people to transform agriculture and society at large.
Building a Sustainable Future
Youth empowerment and agriculture are deeply interconnected. By investing in young people today, we are securing the future of food systems, climate resilience, and economic stability. More organisations must adopt long-term youth-focused strategies—mentorship, innovation ecosystems, and cross-sector partnerships—to enable young people to lead transformative change.
As Ghana and Africa look toward a sustainable future, the equation is simple: empowered youth = empowered communities. By giving young people the knowledge, skills, and resources they need, we are not just preparing them for tomorrow—we are enabling them to build it.
✨ The future is not just about young people inheriting the world. It is about them shaping it—through innovation, resilience, and collaboration.
source: myjoyonline
