Accra: VODEC Africa, a development-oriented organisation, has launched the National Emerging Leaders' Economic Forum (NELEF) 2025 with a call on stakeholders to partner with it to spotlight the innovation of the Ghanaian youth. The Forum is themed: 'Is There Enough Youth Empowerment: The Gateway to Sustainable Economic Development?' and will be held on September 22, 2025, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), expecting 5,000 participants.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Daniel Asomani, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of VODEC Africa, emphasized the need for a collaborative effort to highlight the innovation of young Ghanaians. He envisions a future where the nation's brightest talents thrive within Ghana, driving economic growth and innovation without seeking opportunities abroad. Mr. Asomani stressed the importance of partnerships with the government, private sector, development agencies, and the media to amplify youth innovations and reshape the country's narrative.
Mr. Asomani highlighted the talents and resilience of the Ghanaian youth, asserting that with the right tools and trust, they will exceed expectations. He described NELEF 2025 as a crucial step in this journey, aiming to equip participants with actionable steps, valuable connections, and the confidence to realize their visions.
The Forum aims to move beyond inspiration towards concrete action, featuring an impressive lineup of speakers from various sectors, including business, technology, policy, and social innovation. The focus will be on practical strategies for implementation, collaboration, and effecting real-world change. Key national development areas such as entrepreneurship, leadership and governance, climate change, and technology and digital transformation will be addressed.
Mr. Asomani shared that VODEC Africa was founded eight years ago with the mission to empower Ghana's youth to participate in the 21st-century knowledge economy as job creators, innovators, and leaders. The organisation has significantly contributed to national development by mobilizing volunteers, supporting entrepreneurs, and launching projects to improve livelihoods and strengthen community resilience.
He elaborated on VODEC Africa's initiatives, ranging from agricultural innovation in rural areas to digital startups in Accra, and social enterprises tackling critical issues such as waste management and youth leadership development. Mr. Asomani emphasized the transformative impact of these initiatives on young people's lives, allowing them to lead rather than merely survive.
Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, International Evangelist and Board Chairman of VODEC Africa, urged the youth to seize the opportunity provided by the forum to enhance their lives. Barimah Acheampong Sarpong II, the Chief of Sekyere Asaman in the Ashanti Region and chairman for the occasion, called on various sectors to join hands with NELEF to empower the youth. He highlighted the necessity of youth empowerment for sustainable development and encouraged leveraging the NELEF platform to shape the national narrative on job creation and policy influence through awareness and advocacy.
