Mathias Charles Yabe

On September 5, 2025, I joined the National Youth Authority (@nyaofficialgh) and the Government of Ghana at the 2025 National Youth Festival in Ghana, organised on the theme: Igniting potential, inspiring change. In my speech, I recalled my role in the development of Ghana’s National Youth Policy 2022- 2032 and how one of the policy's objectives, youth participation in international affairs and support from stakeholders, got a young Ghanaian from Suhum to lead the over 1.5 billion youth across the Commonwealth. My journey shows how young people can drive the most ambitious national policies when given the opportunity and support. I reiterated the Commonwealth Youth Council’s readiness to support the Government of Ghana in delivering working solutions that ignite the youth's potential. I welcomed the establishment of the Ghana Youth Federation, a youth-led national mechanism to coordinate youth organisations in Ghana, and asked for the requisite support to ensure the GYF succeeds. Establishing formalised youth coordinating mechanisms, such as youth councils, is a key pillar in youth mainstreaming efforts. Governments have committed to establishing such structures, as outlined in multiple declarations, including the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Ministers Declaration and the African Union Youth Charter. We will continue to support governments in establishing such mechanisms and providing the necessary support to ensure their success. #GetYouthInvolved