Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Abdullai Ayariga, has reaffirmed the Government of Ghana’s commitment to empowering young people through innovation and entrepreneurship.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare Addo, Ayariga spoke at the 2025 Enactus Ghana National Exposition held at the GNAT Hall in Accra.

The annual event, themed “Global Perspectives: Entrepreneurship Without Borders,” brought together student innovators, industry leaders, public officials, and development partners to spotlight student-led enterprises and social innovation projects tackling real-world challenges.

In his remarks, Ayariga commended Enactus Ghana for nurturing a new generation of socially conscious business leaders.

“Your work exemplifies what it means to take learning beyond the classroom and apply it to community needs. You’re not just building businesses—you’re building futures,” he said.

He stressed that Ghana’s youth must be central to the country’s development agenda, highlighting several key government initiatives aimed at unlocking their potential:

• National Youth Policy (2022–2032): A 10-year framework guiding youth engagement in governance, education, technology, health, and innovation.
• Youth Resource Centres: Modern hubs across Ghana offering training in digital skills, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
• National Apprenticeship Program (NAP): A GH₵300 million initiative to train 100,000 youth in vocational skills through a dual-track model.
• Youth in Innovative Agriculture Programme (YIAP): Promoting agriculture as a tech-driven, profitable career path.
• Support for Youth-Led Enterprises: Partnerships with NEIP and the Ghana Enterprises Agency to provide funding, incubation, and market access.
• Leadership and Civic Engagement Programs: Bootcamps, forums, and mentorship platforms focused on ethical leadership and civic responsibility.

“These are not standalone efforts,” Mr Ayariga noted. “Together, they form a national strategy to transform Ghana’s youthful population into its most valuable asset.”

He described Enactus Ghana as a “strategic ally” in this mission, aligning with government efforts through its hands-on approach to entrepreneurship and value-driven leadership.

“We’ve seen Enactus projects that turn waste into opportunity, empower rural women through digital tools, and create micro-solutions to macro challenges. This is entrepreneurship with purpose—and it must be scaled,” he added.

Mr Ayariga also called on private and public sector stakeholders, including the Ghana Chamber of Mines and the Ghana Tourism Authority, to move beyond sponsorship and actively support youth innovation by opening boardrooms, mentorship networks, and procurement pipelines.

To the competing student teams, he offered encouragement and inspiration:

“Today, you’re not just pitching ideas—you’re pitching the future. Whether you win or not, you’ve already proven that Ghana’s entrepreneurial spirit is alive. Keep learning. Keep leading.”

After the event, Mr Ayariga shared reflections on Facebook, describing the expo as “a celebration of bold ideas, innovative thinking, and youth-led transformation.”

The 2025 Enactus Ghana National Exposition once again showcased the power of youth innovation in shaping Ghana’s development path.

As Mr Ayariga puts it: “The time for youth is now. Let us ensure entrepreneurship becomes the new currency of Ghana’s development.”