2026 National Youth Conference Opens at KNUST Great Hall as Leaders Call for Greater Youth Participation
2026 National Youth Conference Opens at KNUST Great Hall
The 2026 National Youth Conference has officially opened at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, bringing together young people, policymakers, government representatives and other stakeholders to deliberate on issues affecting Ghana's youth.
The conference, which began on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, is being organised by the National Youth Authority (NYA) as a platform for young Ghanaians to engage directly with national development priorities and contribute ideas towards addressing challenges confronting the country.
Youth urged to take their place in national decision making
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority, Osman Abdulai Ayariga, urged young people to demand meaningful participation in decisions that shape Ghana's future. Mr Ayariga stressed that young people should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of government programmes but as important partners in developing policies and solutions to national challenges.
He encouraged participants to use the conference as an opportunity to openly discuss issues affecting young people while moving beyond criticism to proposing practical solutions. “You belong at the table. You don't have to wait until you're older to matter, until you have a title to lead, or for permission to make a difference,” he told participants.
Conference focuses on major youth issues
The conference provides a platform for discussions around several issues considered important to Ghana's young population. Topics highlighted include employment, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, governance, substance abuse, climate change, peacebuilding and the creative economy.
The NYA CEO said the gathering presents an opportunity for participants to build networks, connect with mentors, exchange ideas and develop initiatives capable of creating positive change within their communities. He further reaffirmed the Authority's commitment to working with government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, academia, the private sector and youth organisations to strengthen opportunities for youth participation across the country.
Youth conference coincides with KNUST accommodation concerns
The opening of the conference at KNUST also comes against the backdrop of concerns over the rising cost of student accommodation at the university. Some KNUST students staged a demonstration at the Great Hall, using placards to draw attention to increasing hostel and residential fees.
Speaking at the National Youth Conference, Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare-Addo, said government would engage the relevant authorities and private hostel operators over the issue. He also indicated that he would petition the Ministry of Education and other appropriate authorities regarding accommodation costs.
According to the Minister, government is also engaging private investors over the construction of additional affordable accommodation facilities on university campuses.
A platform for shaping Ghana's future
The 2026 National Youth Conference comes at a time when issues surrounding youth employment, education, entrepreneurship, technology and participation in governance remain central to Ghana's national development conversation. For the organisers, the conference is intended not simply as a forum for discussion but as a platform through which young people can contribute ideas and take greater ownership of the country's development agenda.
Participants have been encouraged to use the gathering to establish connections, exchange practical ideas and identify opportunities through which they can contribute to their communities and the wider national development process. With the conference now underway at KNUST's Great Hall, attention will remain focused on the outcomes of the discussions and the commitments that emerge from the engagement between Ghana's youth and policymakers.