The Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Isaac Kwame Asiamah has opened the Validation Meeting of the Africa Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment (APAYE) in Accra. The APAYE is a five-year continental framework and plan of action for implementing the African Youth Charter, the African Union (AU) decision on harnessing the demographic dividend through investment in youth, and the targets on youth articulated in the Agenda 2063 Ten Year Implementation Plan.

The Youth and Sports Minister, Hon. Isaac Kwame Asiamah in his address stated that the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has taken pragmatic steps aimed at creating a society of opportunities especially for the Ghanaian youth that will empower them to confront the challenges of the globally competitive world as well as realizing the aspirations of AU’s Agenda 2063 and the SDGs.

Hon. Asiamah noted that the discourse will ensure concrete steps are taken to further strengthen our understanding and expand the frontiers of Africa’s Youth Development Agenda, adding that the outcome of the meeting will guide policymakers with the African Union Member States in designing and implementing youth policies and programs at regional, national and continental levels.

The Head of Youth Division at the African Union, Ms. Prudence Ngwenya commended Government for their keen interest in youth related activities and welcoming this partnership. She also noted that the APAYE served as the AU’s overarching programmatic document which will guide and influence the efforts and contributions of key partners and stakeholders engaged in youth empowerment on the continent, adding that the APAYE is intended to enable actions and serve as a practical guide and framework for accountability to key stakeholders.

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Mr. Emmanuel Sin-nyet Asigri commended the AU for the collaboration and stressed on the relevance of the Africa Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment (APAYE) which will replace the AU Decade Plan of Action for the Youth (2009 to 2018), as this is critical because Member States of the African Union are taking concrete steps towards achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063.

He further added that the Authority is currently reviewing the National Youth Policy to make it responsive to contemporary demands and needs of the youth.

The CEO of the NYA was optimistic that the three-day validation workshop will contribute immensely to enriching a fit for purpose Africa Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment that will shape the future for the youth in the continent.