Young Commons Forum: Minority Leader urges youth to reject corruption and division at UPSA Summit
The Minority Leader of Parliament, Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has challenged Ghana’s youth to reject corruption, resist division, and embrace innovation as the pathway to building a prosperous nation.
He threw the challenge while addressing students at the Young Commons Forum (YCF) Summit held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. He spoke on the theme: “Empowering Next Generation For Leadership and National-Building”.
The Minority Leader said the destiny of Ghana rests on the choices of young people, not on the actions of a single president, parliament, or policy. According to him, “If Ghana is to rise, it will not be because of one president, parliament or one policy. It will be because young people choose to rise to the occasion. It will be because you decide to serve a cause greater than yourselves”.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin stressed that while a degree or job title is commendable, it is “character, integrity and service” that truly build a nation.
Ghana’s future
The Minority Leader urged students to recognize that their everyday choices form the foundation of Ghana’s future. “Every time you choose accountability and service over corruption, unity over division, and compassion over cynicism, you are exercising leadership that strengthens our nation’s foundation,” he said, adding that Ghana needs “a generation of leaders who measure their impact by what they do, not by what they promise.”
To equip young people for this responsibility, Afenyo-Markin outlined a three-pronged action plan. First, he called for innovation and entrepreneurship as critical levers of growth. “Ghana cannot compete in the 21st century by remaining dependent on exporting raw cocoa and gold. The future lies in technology, digital creativity, manufacturing and adding value to our resources,” he told the gathering, encouraging students to embrace coding, startups, and bold problem-solving.
Accountability
Second, he challenged the youth to demand accountability from political leaders. Citing Thomas Sankara, he reminded students that “you cannot carry out fundamental changes without a certain amount of madness.” He urged them to attend community meetings, use social media responsibly, and insist on transparency in governance, adding that leaders must never be allowed to make promises without delivering results.
Finally, Afenyo-Markin emphasized the importance of community and service. “A prestigious degree or well-paying job is commendable, but a legacy of positive impact is far greater,” he said. He encouraged students to mentor younger peers, volunteer in community projects, and accept national service postings with dedication.
