The Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Ayariga, Esq., has challenged Ghana’s youth to harness the power of digital technology to create opportunities, solve problems and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 National Youth Conference at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi on Tuesday, August 11, Mr Ayariga said young people must move beyond merely consuming digital content and become creators, innovators and responsible citizens.
The conference is being held under the theme: “Rebuilding Values, Inspiring Patriotism: Empowering the Youth in the Digital Age.”
Mr Ayariga said the theme was particularly relevant at a time when technology had transformed the way young people learn, work, communicate and participate in public life.
According to him, the smartphone has given young people unprecedented access to knowledge, global networks and platforms capable of reaching audiences far beyond their immediate communities.
However, he cautioned that such power must be matched by responsibility.
“Don’t use your phone only to watch other people build — use it to build. Don’t only scroll — create. Don’t only complain — contribute,” he urged the youth.
Youth must rebuild Ghana’s values
The NYA CEO said the country’s development required a renewed commitment to values such as integrity, discipline, respect and responsibility, particularly in the digital space.
He explained that integrity meant refusing to cheat even when one had the opportunity to do so, while discipline involved doing what was required even when it was difficult.
He also stressed the need for young people to understand that their actions online have consequences.
Mr Ayariga further challenged the youth to redefine patriotism beyond symbolic displays on national occasions.
He said patriotism could be demonstrated through activities such as keeping communities clean, creating jobs, mentoring other young people, rejecting corruption and performing one’s duties honestly.
“Patriotism is asking yourself, every day: what can I do today to make Ghana better?” he said.
‘Young people are not a problem’
Mr Ayariga also rejected the notion that Ghana’s youth should be viewed primarily as a problem for society.
He said although Ghana faced significant challenges, the current generation possessed access to technology, information, creative platforms and global networks that previous generations could only imagine.
He urged young people to take advantage of those opportunities to prepare themselves for the future.
“Don’t let anyone convince you that your generation is a problem,” he said, adding that young people must use the tools available to them to build solutions rather than simply complain about existing challenges.
Empowerment must go beyond speeches
The NYA CEO said youth empowerment should not be limited to motivational speeches and ceremonial engagements.
He noted that young people needed practical skills, opportunities, mentorship, access to information and platforms through which their ideas could influence decision-making.
He said the National Youth Authority remained committed to building the capacity of young people to participate effectively in national development.
Mr Ayariga explained that the Authority’s work covered areas including leadership, creativity, self-reliance, discipline and cooperation with youth organisations.
He said the 2026 National Youth Conference would provide an opportunity for young people to engage on issues including employment, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, governance, mental health, substance abuse, climate change, peacebuilding and the creative economy.
‘You belong at the table’
Mr Ayariga encouraged participants to actively engage speakers and policymakers instead of remaining passive observers.
He urged young people to ask difficult questions respectfully, challenge ideas constructively and speak openly about challenges affecting their communities.
“The best ideas in this room may not come from the high table. They may come from you,” he said.
He further told young people that they did not have to wait until they were older or occupied prominent positions before making an impact.
“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 said.
NYA pledges continued support
The NYA CEO assured young people that the Authority would continue working with government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, academia, the private sector and youth organisations to create opportunities for youth development.
He said the Authority, in collaboration with the Ghana Youth Federation, was also mandated to organise youth conferences at the national, regional and district levels to ensure that youth voices were heard across the country.
Mr Ayariga said the ultimate responsibility for Ghana’s future could not rest with government alone.
He called for responsible citizens, ethical leaders, productive communities and young people who were prepared not only to succeed but also to serve.
‘Ask what you can give Ghana’
As the conference opened, Mr Ayariga charged the youth to adopt a mindset of service and national responsibility.
He urged them to be ambitious enough to dream, disciplined enough to work, courageous enough to challenge, wise enough to listen, skilled enough to compete and responsible enough to use technology properly.
“Be patriotic enough to build,” he added.
He encouraged participants to use the conference to build meaningful connections, find mentors, exchange ideas and identify practical ways of contributing to their communities and the country.
“The future isn’t somewhere far away. It’s already being shaped by the choices we make today, and it’s represented by every young person in this room. It’s in your hands,” Mr Ayariga said.
The 2026 National Youth Conference forms part of Ghana’s 2026 National Youth Month, which focuses on youth empowerment, leadership, volunteerism, civic responsibility, innovation and national development.
