Youth Leaders, Diplomats, and Innovators Unite for 2-Day Forum on Inclusion and Innovation

High-profile personalities, including members of the diplomatic corps, gathered for a two-day youth-led stakeholder engagement focused on innovation and inclusivity.

Addressing participants, the Chairperson and Founder of the African Women and Children Conference (AFRIWOCC), H.E. Hajia Samira Bawumia, highlighted the critical role of African youth in driving innovation under the theme: “Young Voices, Innovative Ideas, Greater Impact for Africa.”

“This year’s theme — Young Voices, Innovative Ideas, Greater Impact for Africa — is not merely aspirational; it is an imperative,” she said. “We must continue expanding platforms that centre youth, ensuring their full participation and advocacy — not just as leaders of tomorrow, but as leaders of today.

“We must also invest in scalable, locally driven solutions, especially those rooted in indigenous knowledge and youth creativity. In doing so, we must foster shared learning and collaboration. We should speak to each other.”

Canada’s High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Myriam Montrat, reaffirmed her country’s support for the initiative and commended its focus on empowering Africa’s next generation of innovators.

She said: “Canada is committed to working with industry and training institutions to design and deliver gender-sensitive, competency-based, and market-relevant skills training so that young Ghanaian women and men are well prepared for the labour market. Canada remains open to engaging with the ministries of education, youth, and gender to identify synergies in supporting skills development opportunities — including for young women in non-traditional job sectors.”

The UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, H.E. Zia Choudhury, also expressed pride in the United Nations’ partnership with Ghana through initiatives such as the UN Youth Climate Network, which empowers young people, particularly women, with access to green skills, innovation platforms, and opportunities to influence policy.

“But we in the UN family are proud to be your partner on this journey,” he said. “You’ve heard about initiatives like the AFRIWOCC UN Youth Climate Network, which is helping young people, especially young women, gain green skills and access to innovation platforms and policy spaces.

“Across Africa and across the world, the UN continues to work with governments, civil society, the private sector, and the media to advance gender equality, youth leadership, climate resilience, and sustainable development.”

The two-day conference celebrated youth-led innovation across Africa, providing a platform for young people to share ideas, propose solutions, and drive transformative change on the continent.