Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has called for stronger global cooperation to address the challenges confronting young people, particularly unemployment, migration and the changing socio-economic demands of a rapidly evolving world.
Mr. Opare Addo made the call on Monday, September 14, 2026, when he delivered a presentation at the ongoing World Youth Festival in Ekaterinburg, Russia, one of the major international platforms bringing young people together to discuss youth development, cooperation and opportunities.
Representing Ghana at the festival, the Minister said although Ghanaian youth remain vibrant, innovative and ambitious, structural barriers continue to limit their ability to fully participate in national development.
He identified youth migration as a major concern, noting that limited economic opportunities, skills gaps and global inequalities are among factors pushing young people to seek opportunities outside their countries.
According to him, the challenge of youth migration requires coordinated international action rather than isolated national interventions, with countries sharing knowledge, expertise and resources to create sustainable opportunities for young people.
Mr. Opare Addo called for stronger global partnerships that will expand access to skills development, employment, technology and innovation, stressing that such opportunities are critical to preparing young people for the changing demands of the global economy.
He also outlined several measures Ghana is pursuing to strengthen youth empowerment, including expanding skills development programmes, enhancing job creation initiatives and improving young people’s access to technology.
The Minister further advocated deeper international cooperation to promote youth mobility, innovation and cultural exchange, saying these partnerships could open new pathways for young people while strengthening collaboration among participating countries.
He urged countries represented at the festival to move beyond dialogue and develop practical programmes that can build resilient youth systems capable of responding to contemporary economic and social challenges.
Mr. Opare Addo reaffirmed Ghana’s readiness to work with international partners to design and implement programmes that create meaningful opportunities for young people and enable them to play a greater role in sustainable development.
He said Ghana’s participation in the World Youth Festival reflects the country’s commitment to ensuring that young people have a meaningful voice in global conversations and access to opportunities that can contribute to a prosperous future.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe