Tamale: The Martha Inspires Foundation has marked the 10th anniversary of its Youth Empowerment Summit in Tamale, renewing calls on young people to amplify their voices, pursue greatness, and build lasting legacies for national development.
According to Ghana News Agency, the annual summit brings together young people, including students from second cycle and tertiary institutions, to provide mentorship, inspiration, and career guidance to enhance their role in nation-building.
This year's edition allowed participants and stakeholders to share testimonies on the foundation's contributions to their growth over the past decade. Outstanding students, individuals, and organisations were also honoured for their unwavering support. It was held on the theme: 'Amplifying Youth Voices, Building Legacies.'
The celebration was organised in partnership with the National Youth Authority (NYA), Songtaba, Norsaac, SWIDA-Ghana, WEE-North, Savanna Opticals, Twisco, among others, with MTN Ghana as the lead sponsor.
Ms. Martha Anabilla, Executive Director of the Martha Inspires Foundation, recounted the journey of the summit, noting that what started as a dream to provide a platform for young people to aspire for greatness has grown into a movement equipping the youth to realise their potential. She attributed its success to the support of individuals, corporate organisations, civil society groups, and youth associations.
She reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the holistic growth of young people and urged stakeholders to continue providing mentorship to enable the youth make informed life choices.
Delivering a keynote on the theme 'Using Opportunities Wisely for Growth and Not Destruction,' Reverend Aaron Lambon Fant, Senior Pastor of the Sanctuary of Wind and Fire Assemblies of God Church, urged young people to embrace discipline, set clear goals, and avoid instant gratification. He challenged them to believe in their potential and invest wisely in their future.
Alhaji Inusah Mahama, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the NYA in charge of Operations and Programmes, encouraged the youth to believe in their dreams and use platforms such as the Ghana Youth Parliament to make their voices heard in national development.
Mrs. Antoinette Kwofie, Chief Finance Officer of MTN Ghana, advised participants to invest in knowledge and skills to become responsible citizens. She urged them to dream big, leverage opportunities such as the MTN Skills Academy, and strive to leave lasting legacies.
Miss Mohammed Asana, a student of Tamale Girls' Senior High School, described the summit as a springboard for empowerment, exposure, and informed decision-making.
The 10th Youth Empowerment Summit reaffirmed the Martha Inspires Foundation's commitment to nurturing the aspirations of young people and positioning them as agents of positive change in their communities and the nation.