National Youth Authority and Industry Leaders Champion Skills Development and Digital Literacy for Ghanaian Youth

In a series of high-profile engagements across the country, corporate leaders and government officials have called on Ghanaian youth to prioritize competence, innovation, and digital literacy to navigate the evolving job market. From the lecture halls of the University of Ghana to the industrial hubs of the Birim North District, the prevailing message centers on shifting from passive job seeking to active value creation. These initiatives, spearheaded by the National Youth Authority (NYA), MTN Ghana, and Zijin Golden Ridge Limited, aim to bridge the gap between academic preparation and the practical demands of the modern economy.

Speaking at the 2026 National Youth Mentorship Summit, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, challenged over 100 students to "sit up and show up with excellence." She argued that the primary obstacle facing graduates is often unpreparedness rather than a lack of vacancies, urging a shift in mindset from consuming content to creating solutions. This sentiment was echoed by Albert Prempeh Kusi, CEO of LEC Group, who encouraged students to explore investment in capital markets and innovative business ventures as viable paths to wealth creation.

In a similar effort to broaden career horizons, Zijin Golden Ridge Limited collaborated with the GhanaThink Foundation to host the 2026 Zijin Employment Clinic in Amanfrom. The clinic focused on providing youth in the Birim North District with practical skills in entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Vice President Harry He emphasized the importance of career flexibility, drawing from his own experiences to encourage participants to remain open-minded. Communication Manager Philip Ashon further highlighted that opportunities exist far beyond the traditional mining sector, providing a more diverse perspective on local employment for the community.

Complementing these efforts in the physical job market, the National Youth Authority (NYA) has turned its focus toward the digital frontier. During ETHOCON 2026, NYA CEO Osman Ayariga underscored the critical need for communal cybersecurity education. Ayariga advocated for an inclusive approach to tech employment, encouraging young Ghanaians—regardless of gender or background—to participate in securing the nation’s digital future. By collaborating with industry experts, the NYA aims to create a robust pipeline of talent capable of defending Ghana’s digital infrastructure while tapping into global tech opportunities.

These collective efforts reflect a growing national consensus on the need for a multifaceted approach to youth empowerment. As the administration of President John Mahama continues to prioritize human capital development, these private and public sector initiatives provide a necessary framework for individual growth. The emphasis on character building, digital safety, and innovative thinking suggests that the next generation of Ghanaian professionals is being prepared not just to find work, but to drive the country’s industrial and technological advancement.