Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Abdulai Ayariga, has praised President John Dramani Mahama’s administration for demonstrating that young people can deliver effectively when allowed to serve in government.
Mr Ayariga said the youthful composition of the current administration had provided a strong example of the capacity of young people to contribute to governance and national development.
Speaking on Day Two of the 2026 National Youth Conference at the KNUST Great Hall in Kumasi on Wednesday, August 12, he urged other African leaders to take inspiration from President Mahama’s approach to youth inclusion.
“His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has shown to the entire world what young people can do when given the opportunity,” Mr Ayariga said.
He said the performance of the administration demonstrated that youth inclusion in leadership was not merely about representation but also about delivering results for citizens.
“I think that African leaders need to emulate and copy the traits and character of President Mahama for having one of the youthful or most youthful governments in Africa, and that government is performing and performing excellently well,” he said.
Mr Ayariga further urged young people entrusted with leadership positions to conduct themselves responsibly, saying their performance would determine whether more opportunities would be created for the next generation.
“To the youth, when given that opportunity, you can open more doors for other youth to be given opportunities or you can shut it based on how we conduct ourselves,” he added.