Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Abdulai Ayariga, has urged African leaders to emulate President John Dramani Mahama’s approach to youth inclusion in governance, saying young people are ready to take up leadership responsibilities today.

Mr Ayariga said the composition of President Mahama’s government demonstrates what can be achieved when young people are given meaningful opportunities to serve and contribute to national development.

Speaking on Day Two of the 2026 National Youth Conference at the KNUST Great Hall in Kumasi on Wednesday, August 12, Mr Ayariga said African leaders must learn from what he described as a “perfect example” of youth inclusion in governance.

“His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has shown to the entire world what young people can do when given the opportunity,” he said. “African leaders need to emulate and copy the traits and character of President Mahama for having one of the youthful or most youthful governments in Africa.”

Mr Ayariga said the performance of young people in government should encourage other leaders to create more opportunities for the youth to participate in decision-making.

“That government is performing and performing excellently well. African leaders must learn from that perfect example,” he added.

He, however, cautioned young people who are given leadership opportunities to conduct themselves responsibly, stressing that their actions could either open doors for others or make it more difficult for the next generation to be entrusted with leadership responsibilities.

“To the youth, when given that opportunity, you can open more doors for other youth to be given opportunities or you can shut it based on how we conduct ourselves,” he said.