Africa Must Enhance Capacity Of The Youth To Utilize Untapped Potential – Mahama
Former President John Dramani Mahama has said that the continent needs to enhance the capacity and skills of the youth to utilise its untapped potential.
He made this statement whilst sharing his experiences with participants at the African Youth Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He shared his thoughts on Pan-Africanism and how the youth could address the continent’s challenges, emphasising the use of innovation and technology.
“We are talking smart infrastructure; we are discussing the use of smart technology on our farms; we are looking at how to build an effective digital economy that provides huge opportunities for entrepreneurship and businesses that serve the world from Africa,” Mr Mahama said.
“With young people that have the right skill set, we should be moving to achieve that.”
Former President Mahama expressed gratitude to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the government, and the people of Ethiopia for the consideration, initiative, and funding of the maiden edition of the Summit.
He said bringing the continent’s youth together, as had been done, to share experiences and best practices they bring along from their individual countries was perfect for a start.
“It also provides them with a great networking opportunity. Something the continent needs in the quest to enhance the capacity and skills of our youth to utilise its untapped potential,” Mr Mahama said.
He noted that Africa should aim for a take-off to rapid growth, a double-digit growth, and Africa’s breakthrough would be nearer.
The Africa Prospective Leaders’ Summit 2022 brought together youth from 42 African Countries, including Ghana.
The former President said he was looking forward to all the countries on the African continent allowing for visa-free entry by fellow Africans or an easier visa-on-arrival process.
“I started it in Ghana in 2016, Rwanda followed suit, later, Kenya, and I think we can all do it,” he advised.
That way, he said, the benefits of the networking African youth were exposed to could be enhanced with reciprocal visits to each other.