Ghana’s Council of State Member for the Volta Region, Hon. Gabriel Kwamigah Tanko-Atokple, has issued a stirring call to action to the country’s young people, urging them to take charge of their future with courage, discipline, and purpose.
He made these remarks during the Youth Empowerment Forum 2025 and the distribution of over 3,500 coconut seedlings to young farmers. The event was organized by the Atidefe Foundation at the Akatsi RC Park in the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region.
“According to the Ghana Statistical Service, nearly 57% of our population is under 25. That’s not just a number, it’s a sign. The engine that will move Ghana forward is sitting right here,” Kwamigah-Atokple stated.
The forum brought together a broad mix of traditional authorities, youth groups, and national figures, including Togbega Dorglo Anumah VI, Paramount Chief of the Avenor Traditional Area; Hon. Bernard Ahiafor, Member of Parliament for Akatsi South; among other dignitaries. The event was a celebration of youth leadership and sustainable agriculture.
Council Member Hon. Kwamigah-Atokple described the forum and seedling distribution as “a reflection of what real development looks like – investing in both the environment and the people.”
“This platform belongs to you,” he told the youth. “Use it wisely. Ask honest questions. Don’t be afraid to learn something new—or to unlearn something old.” He added, “Leadership is not only for those who hold office. It is for anyone willing to take responsibility, work hard, and stay focused.”
Hon. Kwamigah-Atokple also acknowledged the contributions of individuals from the Volta Region in public service, innovation, and the arts, noting that their success stories are built on values, vision, and community connection. “You don’t have to be perfect,” he said. “Just be consistent, clear about your purpose, and show up.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the Atidefe Foundation, Mr. Thomas Yaw Atidefe, emphasized the importance of the empowerment initiative. He pledged to make the youth of Akatsi South among the most empowered and impactful in Ghana.
“We need to empower the youth to create their own jobs and employ others. Atidefe Foundation has started this journey, and I promise to do my best. I need everyone’s support to come on board,” he said.
The Paramount Chief of the Avenor Traditional Area, Togbega Dorglo Anumah VI, commended the efforts of the Atidefe Foundation, saying, “Let this program be sustained to benefit the youth in the Municipality. No one should politicize it; rather, let’s encourage others to support its sustainability.” He also advised the youth to stay away from alcohol, drug abuse, and other vices that could jeopardize their future. “Education is not the only way to make money,” he noted. “Critical thinking, self-innovation, and having good initiatives in life are equally important.”
The Municipal Chief Executive for Akatsi South, Hon. Daniel Dagba, encouraged the youth to organize themselves to benefit from government agricultural initiatives. “Rice farmers, maize farmers, cassava farmers, and all other farmers should come together to take advantage of these opportunities. Let’s use our rich lands and green environment to improve our lives in the municipality,” he said.
The program attracted several influential leaders from across the region and the nation, marking a strong step forward in combining youth empowerment with sustainable development in Ghana.
As part of the program, the Atidefe Foundation, led by its CEO Thomas Yaw Atidefe, distributed over 3,500 coconut seedlings to young people to support the cultivation of coconut farms in the municipality.
