The Universal Friendship Organisation (UFO), in partnership with the Centre for Intelligence and Security Analysis (CISA) and the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Media, Arts and Communication – Institute of Journalism (UNIMAC-IJ), held a landmark youth empowerment conference on May 23, 2025.
The event, hosted on the UNIMAC-IJ campus in Accra, focused on equipping young people with the tools, mindset, and collaborative spirit required to navigate the fast-changing future of work.
Held under the theme “Navigating the Future of Work: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities,” the conference drew a diverse group of students, development professionals, civil society representatives, and stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
The dialogue centred on the evolving employment landscape, digital transformation, skills development, entrepreneurship, and youth leadership as the keys to building a future-ready generation.
Addressing participants at the conference, Mr Samuel Adobah, President of the Universal Friendship Organisation, delivered a passionate call to action. He urged young people to move away from overdependence on government structures and instead begin cultivating entrepreneurial skills to enable them to thrive in a competitive global economy.
“My advice to students is that they have to engage in entrepreneurial skills for the betterment of their future,” Adobah stated. “If they engage in entrepreneurial skills, they won’t always depend on the government.”
He emphasized that the UFO, since its founding in 2019, has been committed to empowering society through five key pillars: Education, Peace and Stability, Cultural Exchange, Health, and Agriculture. These pillars, according to Adobah, are designed to equip young people with holistic tools for creating an impact in their communities while remaining adaptable to the demands of the global labour market.
“The future of work is not just about technology or skills, it’s about people,” he said. “This conference is not just a platform for ideas. It is a call to action for peace, collaboration, and innovation.”
Adobah stressed the importance of young people seeing themselves not merely as job seekers but as potential job creators who must harness the power of community, creativity, and cross-sector collaboration to tackle challenges such as unemployment, technological disruption, and economic inequality.
Also speaking at the conference was Edmond Ofosu Yeboah, who serves as the Business Development and Partnerships lead at the National Youth Authority (NYA). He echoed the call for a mindset shift among young people, urging them to focus on meaningful engagements and avoid complacency in the digital age.
“There are a lot of opportunities that will empower young people to see the future,” Yeboah said. “Rather than spending all their time on social media, they should focus on productive activities that will help them grow.”
He also encouraged the youth to take a more proactive approach toward opportunities and cautioned against allowing political sentiments to become a barrier to progress.
“They sit and have a mindset that everything is politicized. That is not good. One needs to apply and try, maybe that would be your chance,” Yeboah advised.
Ms. Jewel Sowah, speaking on behalf of CISA CEO Ambassador Rasheed Inusah, highlighted the need for Ghana’s youth to focus on creating their own jobs.
According to Ms. Sowah, Ghana’s population is projected to be over 34.4 million, with the youth (15-35 years) making up about 38.2% of the total population. However, the public sector can only absorb a limited number of graduates annually, leaving the private sector and entrepreneurship as vital options for job creation.
The CISA official noted that the private sector has been instrumental in creating jobs, with about 13.6 million jobs existing due to entrepreneurship. She emphasized that joblessness has severe security implications and can lead to mental and psychological traumas, as well as social vices.
Ms Sowah encouraged students to think creatively about starting their own ventures, leveraging digital tools and artificial intelligence to harness limitless possibilities in entrepreneurship. She emphasized the need for excellence, adaptability, and bold initiative in today’s rapidly evolving world.
Throughout the event, panel discussions and breakout sessions featured various industry experts, youth leaders, and entrepreneurs who shared insights on the need for digital literacy, critical thinking, innovation, and inclusive development in shaping the workforce of the future. Participants were encouraged to network, ask questions, and think creatively about how to position themselves for emerging job markets both within Ghana and beyond.
