Youth shape the future of a nation by replacing the previous generation in key political, social and cultural

roles. This causes regular revolutions in values and ideas as people reach adulthood and take over for others. Accepted
social mores often shift to reflect the views of the younger generation.

The youth of a country have a significant impact on national growth. Tendencies toward free enterprise, equal rights and
humanitarian issues are dictated by the current ruling population. This group changes every few decades, as the youth of a
nation grow up and replace the previous generation with new leadership.

The experiences of youth weigh heavily on how they act as adults. Things like economic well-being, the quality and
availability of education, access to opportunities for advancement, and the state of war or peace in a country all influence
the values young people cultivate into adulthood. Accepted standards often change when new groups take charge of
public offices and private enterprises.

It is important to encourage civic responsibility among the youth so that they feel rooted in these roles. Providing
knowledge regarding voting, volunteering and social accountability help foster a positive future for a nation by ensuring
that its upcoming leadership is outfitted with the values that support ongoing maintenance of an established culture.

“Education is not a tool for development-individual community and the nation. It is the foundation of our future. It is
empowerment to make choices and emboldens the youth to chase their dreams”. Nita Dalal Mukesh Ambani

The Oxford advanced learner’s dictionary defines “youth” as the time of life when one is young. The period when a young person has
not yet become an adult. The youth forms the highest portion of every country’s population. For instance, the 2016 population data
analysis indicates that the highest portion of Ghana’s population are youths which analytically implies that the future of Ghana as it
stands now depends on the strong force of her youth. Henceforth, the youths of today are the driving forces of tomorrow.

The youths in any country represent the future of that country of which Ghana is of no exception. Therefore the youths have a vital
role to play in the development of the country thus a duty they must perform.

“Youth is not a time of life; It is a state of mind; It is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; It is a matter of
the will, quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; It is the freshness of the springs of life”.

Samuel Ullman
National development on the other hand is the ability of a nation to improve the lives of its citizens. The measures of improvement
may be material such as an increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or social such as literacy rates and availability of healthcare
services. Therefore the extremity of all national development is to enhance the lives of the citizens within the context of a growing
economy.
Youth participation in a growing economy is an essential key to national development. The world’s most biggest power is the youth
therefore meaningful efforts must be establish to help empower them to contribute sufficiently and competently towards the socio-
economic and sustainable development of the country.

“We cannot always build the future for our youths but we can build our youths for the future”.

To ensure the full and active participation of the youth in national development entails a lot. The government, society and parents have
a role to play in accomplishing the ultimate goal of the future.

THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT

The government has to include the youths in decision making processes especially the ones affecting their lives. Youth participation in
a growing economy especially in decision making give young people a sense of belongings which promote a high sense of
responsibility and citizenship. It also increases the likelihood that the country’s programs and services will be in the interest of the
youth thereby creating a serene environment for national development. The government as a whole should start formulating policies
that may encourage and also engage the youths in the activities of the country.

“Communities that include youths as a respected leaders and participants in decision making can clearly experience the
exuberance and excitement of a group of stakeholders who have the unique abilities and experience to ensure decisions that
affect youth are well thought, sustainable and worthwhile endeavors”

Klindera and Menderweld 2001

The government should motivate, develop support and provide training services to the youth. The foundation of every state is the
education of its youth. The youths of today are full of vibrant ideas when properly motivated and sufficiently guided by the
government will promote their lives. This can only come to reality when government takes a conscious look towards the activities of
the youth. The government should create avenues that may trigger the youth with requisite skills and services to enable them reach
their educational goals.

The government should facilitate and monitor the employment of youths in Ghana. It is the sole responsibility of the government to
empower young people to contribute efficiently to the economic growth of the nation by providing the youths with jobs. We have a
powerful potentials in our youths and we must have the courage to divert old ideas and practices by giving them jobs that will at the
long run better their lives and the economy as a whole. This will help reduces the high rates of social vices such as armed robbery,
pickpocketing etc. paving way for economic development

In summary, the youths have a responsibility towards the country and should be acknowledge and practice. This can only be fulfill
through the efforts and interventions of government, parents, private sectors and the civil society.

“Let us acknowledge and celebrate what youth can do to build a safer, more just world. Let us strengthen our efforts to
include young people in politics, programmes and decision making that benefit their future and ours”.