From November 5–6, 2025, hundreds of young leaders, policymakers, social innovators, and community advocates gathered at the Eastern Premier Hotel in Koforidua for the Youth Summit 2025, a two-day event that amplified the voice of Ghana’s youth under the theme “Harnessing the Power of Youth for Transformative Development.”
Convened by STAR Ghana Foundation in partnership with the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly, National Youth Authority (NYA), 
, and Kofkro Partners, the summit became a vibrant hub of ideas, dialogue, and commitments for inclusive national growth.
A Platform for Visionary Youth Voices
The summit, under the Action for Youth Development (AfYD) project funded by Botnar Foundation brought together young people from across the country, changemakers, social entrepreneurs, civic leaders, academics, and traditional leaders, united by one shared goal: to position the youth at the center of Ghana’s transformative development agenda.
Participants recognized that young people are not only the largest demographic group but also the most dynamic drivers of innovation, accountability, and social change
Key Resolutions from the Summit
The communiqué issued at the close of the summit outlined five major resolutions to guide national and local action:
Youth Empowerment through Education and Skills
At the heart of the summit’s communiqué was a passionate call for equitable, relevant, and inclusive education. Delegates urged government and education stakeholders to redesign curricula that reflect today’s realities, where science, technology, creativity, and mental health awareness go hand in hand.
They emphasized the importance of STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) as a bridge to innovation and entrepreneurship and called for stronger partnerships between schools and industries to prepare young people for the world of work.
Economic Inclusion and Job Creation
Participants urged government and private sector actors to invest in youth entrepreneurship and create enabling environments for startups and social enterprises. The communiqué highlighted the need for policies that empower marginalized groups, especially differently abled persons, women, and youth in deprived communities to take part in economic decision-making.
There was also a call to reduce urban migration by providing incentives for businesses to remain in regional areas like the Eastern Region.
Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability
Young people pledged to lead the charge against illegal mining and environmental degradation, emphasizing the importance of green innovation and circular economy models that turn waste into art, jobs, and opportunity. The summit reaffirmed youth commitment to defending Ghana’s natural resources and demanded greater inclusion in national and global climate dialogues.
Youth Leadership and Governance
Delegates demanded stronger youth representation in governance, transparency through the Right to Information Act (Act 989), and increased budget allocations at the district and regional levels for participatory governance.
They also underscored the need to hold duty bearers accountable and strengthen civic education for active citizenship.
Digital Transformation and Innovation
Recognizing the growing influence of technology, participants called for expanding youth-led digital enterprises, supporting innovation hubs, and promoting digital literacy as tools for entrepreneurship, advocacy, and inclusive development.
Actionable Commitments
The communiqué outlined specific roles for each stakeholder group:
- Government: Implement youth-responsive budgeting, invest in mental health, integrate drug education into schools, and create incentives for regional investment.
- Private Sector: Partner with youth organizations, provide mentorship and funding, and promote inclusive hiring.
- Youth Organizations: Unite, advocate, and leverage digital tools to advance the Youth Manifesto and national development.
- Development Partners and CSOs: Support capacity-building, gender equality, and green entrepreneurship while fostering safe, inclusive spaces for youth engagement.
A Shared Vision for the Future
As the summit concluded, participants adopted a collective pledge: to harness their energy, creativity, and resilience for a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous Ghana.
The communiqué was signed by representatives of Anchito Foundation for Education and Self Help, New Juaben South Youth Parliament, Bibia B3 Y3 Fine Association, Divine Mother and Child Foundation, the National Youth Authority, New Juaben South Municipality, and Youth Advocates Ghana, signalling a strong multi-stakeholder commitment to youth-led transformation.
A Call to Action
The Youth Summit 2025 was a movement reminding all, government, private sector, and civil society that the future belongs to the youth, and the time to empower them is now.
As STAR-Ghana Foundation and its partners look ahead, the message from Koforidua remains clear: “When the youth rise, the nation transforms.”
