The 2025 National Youth Festival officially commenced with a special Islamic Dialogue session held at the National Mosque in Accra, bringing together key government officials and Muslim youth to kick off a month-long celebration of Ghanaian youth empowerment.
Organised by the National Youth Authority (NYA) in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, the event marks the beginning of activities for International Youth Month, observed throughout August.
The gathering provided a meaningful opportunity for interaction between the government and the youth, especially from Islamic communities, with discussions focused on national development, drug abuse, faith-based education, and youth employment.
Addressing participants, the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, reiterated the government’s commitment to celebrating young people throughout the month of August and encouraging their full participation in nation-building.
“This entire month is dedicated to celebrating the Ghanaian youth and recognising your contributions to the country,” he said.
“We want our young people, including those in Islamic communities, to become globally competitive and contribute meaningfully to national growth.”
He emphasised that under the leadership of John Dramani Mahama, the government has launched several transformative initiatives such as the National Apprenticeship Program, the One Million Coders initiative, and the Adwumawura Program.
These programs are designed to provide practical training, digital skills, and entrepreneurship support to young people, especially those from under-resourced backgrounds.
“I encourage you to take full advantage of these programs. They are not mere slogans – they are real interventions aimed at empowering you,” Opare Addo told the gathering.
A key issue raised during the dialogue was the growing problem of drug abuse among the youth, especially the misuse of opioids and a potent substance locally referred to as “red.”
The minister expressed deep concern over the trend and disclosed that the ministry has responded with a targeted public awareness campaign.
“We have launched a campaign called ‘Red Means Stop’ to combat substance abuse, especially in vulnerable communities,” he said.
“We are also working with the NYA and other agencies to offer rehabilitation and reintegration programs, including skills training, for those affected.”
On education, Opare Addo introduced a new faith-based component under the Youth in Apprenticeship and Education (YAE) program, which will now include the recruitment of Islamic scholars to serve as teachers in Makaranta schools.
According to him, this step is intended to preserve Islamic knowledge while ensuring quality instruction in local communities.
“This new initiative will strengthen Islamic education and support our commitment to holistic youth development,” the minister noted.
He called on Muslim leaders to help amplify government messages and motivate young people to take advantage of these opportunities.
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority, Osman Ayariga, highlighted the festival’s key activities scheduled for August.
These include a nationwide clean-up exercise, a health walk against substance abuse, a youth dialogue with religious leaders, a national youth conference, a climate action summit, and the National Youth Carnival to close the month.
