Former President John Agyekum Kufuor is calling for a swift and comprehensive strengthening of Ghana’s mentorship and coaching systems to help nurture globally competitive leaders for the future.

He made the call at a high-level discussion on setting up a Mentor Coaching Academy (MCA) in Ghana.

Speaking at the event, held at his residence, Mr. Kufuor said Ghana risks falling behind if it does not deliberately invest in structured mentorship for its young people.

According to him, the country’s human capital potential can only be fully realised if seasoned professionals commit to guiding, inspiring, and equipping the next generation with the right values and skills.

The dialogue marks the beginning of what Mr. Kufuor describes as a transformative national agenda to empower young Ghanaians.

 The proposed Mentor Coaching Academy, an initiative of the John A. Kufuor Foundation and the British Council, aims to build a strong network of experienced leaders who will coach and mentor young people to become job-ready, innovative, and future-oriented.

The academy will support young people across employability, entrepreneurship, and academic development, with a particular focus on ensuring inclusion for persons with disabilities.

Members of the academy will be encouraged to use their personal and professional networks to open internship and job opportunities for young people living with disabilities—complementing the government’s Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disability initiative.

The former president noted that Ghana’s rapidly changing economic landscape demands leaders who are adaptable, innovative, and exposed to global trends.

He said the new academy could play a pivotal role in shaping such leaders by providing hands-on training, coaching, and real-world opportunities.

The inaugural dialogue brought together local and international partners, including leadership development experts, educators, youth advocates, and private sector actors, all committed to building a sustainable mentorship culture within the country.

The British Council, a key partner in the initiative, said it remains fully committed to helping Ghana design a mentoring framework that creates equal access and opportunities for all young people, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities.

The Mentor Coaching Academy is expected to roll out nationwide engagements, campus outreach programmes, and sector-based mentoring clusters in the coming months.

Organizers say the launch represents the beginning of a long-term vision to strengthen Ghana’s leadership pipeline and create a generation of confident, skilled, and globally competitive young people ready to contribute meaningfully to national development.