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Shamima Muslim Delivers Speech at 2026 National Youth Conference UPSA
Shamima Muslim delivered a keynote address at the 2026 National Youth Conference on Friday, August 13, 2026, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA). She spoke on behalf of Chief of Staff Hon. Julius Debrah and the Office of the President. The conference was organised by the International Youth Fellowship Ghana in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment and the National Youth Authority. The theme for this year’s conference was “The Turning Point.”
Why Ghana’s Youth Development Cannot Wait
Shamima Muslim highlighted critical statistics about Ghana’s youth population during the National Youth Conference. She noted that Ghana has nearly 11.8 million young people between the ages of 15 and 35, representing 38.2 percent of the population. Furthermore, the Ghana Statistical Service reports that youth unemployment among persons aged 15 to 35 averaged 22.5 percent in 2024. Additionally, young people account for seven out of every ten unemployed persons in the country. Therefore, she stressed that investing in youth is not simply a social intervention but a national development imperative.
The Turning Point Message to Ghana’s Youth
Shamima Muslim challenged young people to redefine what a turning point means in their lives. She said the most important turning points often happen quietly, when a young person decides to think differently, learn from failure, or finally act on a long-postponed idea. Moreover, she reminded attendees that talent may open a door, but character determines what you do when you enter. She urged Ghana’s youth to move beyond asking what their country can give them and instead ask what problems they can solve and what value they can create.
Government’s Commitment to Youth Empowerment
On behalf of Hon. Julius Debrah, Shamima Muslim reaffirmed the Government of President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to placing youth development at the heart of the national agenda. She said government has a responsibility to expand opportunities in education, skills development, entrepreneurship, and employment. However, she also reminded participants that one responsibility cannot be transferred to government or any mentor — the decision a young person makes about what to do with an opportunity. She concluded by urging every young person to let the turning point become visible in a decision, a skill, an idea, or a problem they choose to solve.