Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has called on Ghanaian youth to take responsibility for shaping a more accountable and united future for the country.
Speaking at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) during the launch of the Young Commons Forum (YCF), the lawmaker urged students to see integrity, transparency, and innovation as the bedrock of leadership.
He encouraged young people to rise above corruption, nepotism, and injustice, describing them as obstacles to national development.
“If you are a student leader, be transparent with your colleagues. If you are running a small business, deal honestly with your customers. Whatever role you play, live out the values of responsibility and fairness,” he advised.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin stressed that empowering young people should not be limited to classrooms but should include deliberate efforts to support entrepreneurship, research, and creativity.
“Youth empowerment must open doors and remove barriers,” he said. “This means ensuring access to capital for young entrepreneurs and celebrating innovation rather than stifling it.”
On politics, he warned against the cycle of vindictiveness that has become common in Ghana’s political culture, saying it slows progress.
“Sometimes we think bringing down our opponents makes us popular. In reality, it only pushes the country back,” he cautioned.
He further appealed to the youth not to exploit opportunities meant to uplift them, but to use them responsibly to create more space for future generations.
