The Africa We Want Symposium, held in Accra from August 19 to 23, 2026, brought together delegates from six African countries to discuss challenges confronting the continent and develop solutions. Organized by the Youth Arise Organization as part of the Orange Youth Festival, the symposium provided a platform for young people to deliberate on issues affecting them. Through detailed discussions and policy lab sessions, participants developed actionable recommendations to address these issues. The symposium formed part of efforts to engage young people in shaping the future of Africa.
The young participants adopted the Accra Youth Communique, covering six key areas: intra-African trade and economic integration; governance, political participation and accountability; peace, security and social cohesion; African culture, identity and heritage; and people-driven development, including gender equality and inclusion. The communique outlines specific recommendations to address challenges in these areas. These recommendations aim to promote economic growth, good governance, and social cohesion across the continent. By adopting the communique, participants demonstrated their commitment to advancing Agenda 2063.
The recommendations call for reduced barriers to intra-African trade and free movement, improved infrastructure and digital connectivity, greater youth participation in governance, and stronger anti-corruption measures. They also emphasize responsible digital citizenship, support for African creative industries, protection of indigenous languages and heritage, and more inclusive development. These proposals seek to harness the potential of African youth to drive positive change. By implementing these recommendations, African countries can unlock new opportunities for growth and development.
International delegates from countries including Benin, Cote D’Ivore, Kenya, Nigeria, and Liberia affirmed their support for the Accra Youth Communique and pledged to promote its implementation. This international backing demonstrates a shared commitment to empowering African youth and advancing Agenda 2063. The support of international delegates will help to amplify the impact of the communique. By working together, young people and their supporters can drive meaningful change across the continent.
Global CEO of Youth Arise Organization, Moses Baffour Awuah, assured participants that the communique would be shared with relevant youth-focused ministries and stakeholders across the continent for implementation. He added that a central registry would be created to track initiatives and commitments arising from the recommendations contained in the communique. This registry will help to monitor progress and ensure accountability. By tracking progress, stakeholders can identify areas for improvement and build on successes.
According to Moses Baffour Awuah, the registry will help to track progress in achieving the recommendations in the Accra Youth Communique. This will enable stakeholders to evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts and make adjustments as needed. By regularly assessing progress, young people and their supporters can stay focused on their goals. The registry will also facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders.
The Africa We Want Symposium demonstrated the potential of African youth to drive positive change. By adopting the Accra Youth Communique, participants showed their commitment to shaping the future of Africa. The symposium and the communique represent important steps towards achieving Agenda 2063. Key points include:
Key points
- The Accra Youth Communique covers six key areas, including intra-African trade and economic integration, and people-driven development.
- International delegates from five countries affirmed their support for the communique and pledged to promote its implementation.
- A central registry will be created to track initiatives and commitments arising from the recommendations contained in the communique.
