By Solomon Gumah
Tamale, Aug. 20, GNA-Martha Inspires Foundation, a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) has held a youth empowerment summit in Tamale to encourage effective youth participation on issues of national development.
The event was an annual gathering of young people, which served as a common platform to mentor and inspire them to dream big and to believe in the possibilities of their dreams.
This year’s summit was on the theme: “Inspire Inclusion to Support Youth Participation,” and was attended by various stakeholders within the youth development space, civil society organisations, students from both tertiary and second cycle institutions, youth groups and associations among others.
It was in partnership with the Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA-Ghana), Songtaba, Ghana SRHR Alliance for Young People, Twillium Industrial Company Limited, Promasidor Company Limited, BEL Beverages, Savanna Opticals and Eyes Care among other partners with MTN Ghana being the lead sponsor.
Ms Martha Anabila, the Chief Executive Officer of Martha Inspires Foundation, said it was part of the organisation’s shared commitment to harnessing the potential of young people as part of efforts to complement the development agenda of the country.
She said the only way the youth could grow to become responsible citizens and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the country was to provide the platform that encouraged learning and mentorship, hence the summit.
She underscored the need for all stakeholders to demonstrate more interest in grooming the next generation of leadership by strategically investing in their holistic growth and development.
She advised the youth to take advantage of the various platforms to aid their growth and to endeavour to eschew vices that would adversely affect their goals and aspirations.
Mrs Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, the Senior Manager, Corporate Services at MTN Ghana, emphasised need for the youth to identify their talents and endeavour to invest their time and resources in sharpening and developing those skills to attract employment and other business opportunities.
She urged them to prioritise the habit of continuous learning and self-improvement to achieve their goals and aspirations.
Mr Jeremiah Buabeng, Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Buabeng advised participants to take keen interest in building more healthier relationships that would resonate into future opportunities for self-actualisation.
He told them to acknowledge obstacles in life as part of the journey to greatness and urged them to work to overcome such obstacles that would impede their progress in life.
Mr Marvin Selassie Ackuayi, a student entrepreneur and youth empowerment advocate, reiterated the need for the youth to share their knowledge and skills with one another to help inspire inclusive growth and development.
Miss Mohammed Aisha, a student at Tamale Science Islamic Senior High School, who participated in the last two editions of the summit, commended Martha Inspires Foundation for its dedication to youth development in the region.
GNA