Chief Executive of the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs and a leading advocate for youth development, Sherif Ghali has commended President John Mahama for fulfilling his assurance to decouple the Youth Ministry from the Ministry of Sports.

According to him, the decision demonstrates the President’s commitment to prioritising youth development as a key pillar of Ghana's national agenda.

In a statement, Mr. Ghali commended the appointment of George Opare Addo as the Minister-designate for Youth Development and Empowerment, describing it as a critical move toward addressing the challenges and harnessing the potential of Ghanaian youth.

“George Opare Addo’s vast experience in youth-focused initiatives positions him as the right leader to guide the new Ministry. His ability to engage stakeholders, coupled with his passion for youth issues, will be instrumental in driving effective reforms and impactful programs for the young people of Ghana,” the statement continued.

Mr. Ghali urged the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments to expedite the confirmation process to enable the Ministry to begin work and address pressing youth-related issues swiftly.

He further called on Mr. Opare Addo to work closely with experienced youth leaders and stakeholders to ensure that the Ministry’s strategies align with the needs and aspirations of the youth.

Highlighting the importance of youth inclusion, Mr. Ghali reiterated the urgent need to establish the Ghana Youth Federation, as mandated by the National Youth Authority Act of 2016.

“For the past eight years, youth leaders across Ghana have championed the creation of a National Youth Federation. This platform is essential for amplifying the voices of young people, ensuring their active participation in decision-making processes at the national, regional, and district levels. It is time for this vision to materialise, and the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs is ready to provide guidance and support in this regard,” he stated.

As a strong advocate for youth entrepreneurship, Mr. Ghali emphasised the need for the Ministry to prioritise initiatives that foster entrepreneurship and innovation among the youth.

He also emphasised the Chamber’s track record in empowering over 4,200 young entrepreneurs and influencing policy reforms that support start-up ecosystems. He pledged the Chamber’s readiness to collaborate with the Ministry in designing and implementing programmes that unlock the entrepreneurial potential of Ghanaian youth.

Additionally, Mr. Ghali called for comprehensive stakeholder engagements to ensure the Ministry’s programmes are inclusive.

In conclusion, he reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to champion youth development initiatives and called on all stakeholders to rally behind the new Ministry in its mission to transform the lives of Ghana’s youth.