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 Agriculture, once seen as an outdated career path, is being reinvented through technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation.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:

• Impacted 58,425+ young leaders and students with mindset shifts about agriculture.

• Nurtured 1,000+ AgriTech solutions and launched 250+ AgriTech start-ups.

• Helped youth-led businesses raise $22.7 million in grants and equity.

• 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

On Wednesday, August 13, hundreds of NPP youth organisers gathered at the party’s headquarters in Accra to pick up the forms on behalf of Dr Bawumia. According to him, the initiative was driven by a strong show of support.

“Out of 552 youth organisers, 490 approached me and requested the opportunity to pick my forms,” Dr Bawumia revealed. “The leadership came forward, united in their commitment, and today they have fulfilled that promise by delivering the forms to me.”

He commended the youth for their dedication, describing them as a vital force in the party’s progress.

“The youth are a major asset for our party and for the nation,” he said. “This act is a significant vote of confidence, and I am truly grateful.”

While stopping short of officially announcing his candidacy, Dr Bawumia hinted at entering the flagbearer race ahead of the 2026 presidential primary.

“I am minded to contest for the flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party,” he stated. “A full declaration will come when I submit the forms I received today.”

He also called for a respectful and idea-driven internal contest.

“This flagbearership election must be conducted with decorum,” Dr Bawumia urged. “We are not in a campaign of insults — it should be about ideas, and that is what will inspire Ghanaians.”

source: myjoyonline

The delegation visited the NPP national headquarters in Accra to complete the process before handing the forms to Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, former Tema West MP and Campaign Manager for Dr. Acheampong.

Describing the gesture as a strong endorsement, Mr. Ahenkorah said it reflected the youth’s confidence in Dr. Acheampong’s leadership potential.

“This is not just about picking forms; it’s about the future of the NPP and Ghana,” he stated. “When the youth take this initiative, it shows they believe in a leader who can unite the party, deliver on promises, and secure victory in 2028.”

He assured the group that the campaign would be anchored on unity, competence, and results for both the party and the nation.

Some members of the delegation highlighted Dr. Acheampong’s achievements in public service—especially in the agriculture sector—his discipline, and his leadership style as key reasons for their backing.

They expressed optimism that his strategic vision could lead the NPP to victory in the next general elections.

The move is widely seen as giving Dr. Acheampong early momentum, particularly among grassroots supporters who often play a decisive role in internal party contests. With the nomination process now open, attention shifts to how aspirants will court delegates ahead of the primaries in January 2026.

source: myjoyonline