Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Ayariga, has called on African governments to move beyond viewing young people as beneficiaries of development and instead recognize them as partners in governance, policy formulation and democratic transformation.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Pan-African Youth Parliament for Democracy in Accra, Ayariga described the event as the beginning of a continental platform aimed at strengthening democratic governance by placing young people at the centre of decision-making.
Addressing delegates from across Africa and the African Diaspora, the NYA CEO said the future of the continent depends on creating opportunities that empower young people to contribute meaningfully to national and continental development.
“Young people today are not asking merely to be heard. They are asking to be involved. They are asking to co-create solutions. They are asking to lead,” he stated.
Ayariga conveyed greetings from the Government and people of Ghana and the Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment, while commending the Innovation Foundation for Democracy, Parliamentary Network Africa, the National Youth Authority and other partners for making the inaugural parliament a reality.
He noted that the event coincided with Ghana’s observance of National Youth Month, making it a timely opportunity to promote youth participation in governance across Africa.
Reflecting on Ghana’s Pan-African heritage, Ayariga said the country’s greatest contribution to the continent extends beyond its independence, highlighting the enduring vision of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who championed African unity and collective development.
He stressed that Africa’s current challenge is not political liberation but strengthening democratic institutions, promoting accountable governance, protecting civic freedoms and ensuring young people actively participate in shaping the continent’s future.
According to him, Africa’s youthful population presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, innovation and democratic renewal if governments invest in education, employment, entrepreneurship and leadership development.
“The future of Africa will depend not on how many young people we have, but on the quality of opportunities we create for them,” he emphasized.
Ayariga argued that democracy should not be measured solely by elections but by the extent to which institutions are trusted, citizens’ voices are respected and governments create opportunities for participation and leadership.
He highlighted Ghana’s efforts to institutionalize youth participation through youth parliament structures, which provide platforms for young people to deliberate on national issues and build leadership capacity.
The NYA CEO also announced that the Authority would host a Youth Parliament in the coming days as part of efforts to deepen youth engagement in governance.
Additionally, he revealed that the National Youth Authority had facilitated the establishment of the Ghana Youth Federation as a unified platform to strengthen collaboration among youth organizations and amplify the voices of young people in national decision-making.
He said these initiatives demonstrate Ghana’s commitment to translating youth empowerment from policy into practical action.
Touching on continental frameworks, Ayariga referenced the African Youth Charter and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, noting that both place young people at the heart of Africa’s transformation by promoting participation in governance, education, entrepreneurship, peacebuilding and innovation.
He further urged African governments to invest in digital skills, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship ecosystems, research and innovation financing to enable young Africans to compete globally and drive the continent’s development.
Calling for what he described as a “new social contract” between governments and young people, Ayariga said trust, accountability, dialogue and shared leadership must define future governance across Africa.
He encouraged delegates attending the inaugural Pan-African Youth Parliament for Democracy to use the platform to exchange ideas, develop practical policy recommendations and build lasting networks capable of advancing democratic governance throughout the continent.
Concluding his address, Ayariga expressed confidence that the Parliament would strengthen democratic participation, deepen Pan-African solidarity and contribute to building the prosperous and united Africa envisioned by the continent’s founding leaders.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to empowering young people and ensuring they play leading roles in shaping Africa’s democratic future.
