Former President Akufo-Addo Calls for Youth Advocacy in Education to Drive Africa’s Transformation

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has issued a stirring call to action for young Africans, urging them to take the lead in advocating for quality education as the primary vehicle for continental transformation. Speaking at the Third West Africa Youth Summit held in Accra, the former president emphasized that education remains the most critical cornerstone for Africa’s development, poverty alleviation, and long-term economic growth. He told the gathering of young leaders, policymakers, and civil rights actors that the continent’s progress depends heavily on how effectively it prepares its youth through learning and skills development.

Central to his address was the success of Ghana’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, which his administration pioneered to eliminate financial barriers to secondary education. Akufo-Addo highlighted that before the policy’s implementation, nearly one million young Ghanaians were excluded from secondary education due to the lack of financial means. He noted that the initiative has significantly increased enrollment, particularly among girls and children from disadvantaged backgrounds, thereby ensuring that financial status no longer dictates a child's academic potential or future opportunities.

The former president further stressed that while infrastructure and other capital investments are necessary for national progress, the investment in human capital through education is unparalleled in its long-term impact. He encouraged the youth delegates to return to their respective communities as active ambassadors for education, promoting the importance of consistent learning to equip the next generation for future global challenges. By championing access to quality education, Akufo-Addo argued that the youth can actively drive the societal transformation required to overcome historical cycles of underdevelopment.

The summit served as a vital platform for regional cooperation, bringing together youth from across West Africa to discuss empowerment and the broader African development agenda. Akufo-Addo’s message underscored a vision where a well-educated population serves as the bedrock of a prosperous and self-sufficient Africa. He concluded by reiterating that true sustainable development is only achievable when the youth are empowered with the knowledge and tools necessary to lead the charge for the continent's growth.