As part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS, the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, has launched the Human Capital Development Youth Conference.

The event brought together young people from across the sub-region, aiming to equip them with essential skills for both personal and professional growth.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, emphasised the urgent need to empower young people with the tools required to realise their full potential.

“Youth empowerment is not merely a talking point, but the cornerstone of meaningful socio-economic transformation. Across the ECOWAS region, our youth constitute the largest demographic and our most valuable human resource. Investing in their aspirations, talents, and potential is not only a moral duty but also a vital strategy for achieving sustainable development and inclusive economic growth,” he said.

The Minister also voiced concern about the persistent challenges of youth unemployment and brain drain, describing them as major obstacles to the region’s development goals.

“Mentorship plays a crucial role in our strategy, linking experienced professionals with young people to support their career development and personal growth. Nonetheless, we continue to face significant challenges, including unemployment and brain drain, which threaten to diminish the potential of our youth,” he added.

Also addressing the gathering, Ruben Johnson, Special Adviser to the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted the detrimental impact of brain drain on critical sectors, particularly healthcare.

“The brain drain, especially among young health professionals, poses a serious threat to our healthcare systems across member states,” he noted.

Ruben Johnson called for robust policy interventions to retain skilled professionals within the region, warning that failure to act could further exacerbate the ongoing human resource crisis in key sectors.