President John Dramani Mahama has challenged young Africans and people of African descent across the diaspora to become innovators, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers capable of shaping the next chapter of the continent’s development.
Addressing a joint sitting of the Jamaican Parliament during his State Visit to the Caribbean nation, President Mahama said the younger generation possessed unprecedented opportunities to transform Africa and the Caribbean through technology, innovation and enterprise.
“Our youth are the generation that will define the next chapter of our shared history,” he declared.
He said today’s young people had inherited the courage and resilience of their ancestors while enjoying access to opportunities unimaginable to previous generations.
“Our youth have inherited the courage of our ancestors, but they also possess opportunities that our ancestors could scarcely have imagined. Technology has connected our continents. Knowledge has become more accessible than at any time in history. Innovation has created possibilities that previous generations could only have dreamed about,” he said.
President Mahama encouraged young people to embrace creativity and technological advancement, saying the future would belong to those who developed solutions to society’s challenges.
“The future will belong to those who create solutions, embrace innovation and build bridges across nations and cultures,” he stated.
He urged young Africans to pursue bold ambitions while remaining committed to integrity, service and excellence.
“Dream boldly, lead with integrity, innovate with purpose, build enterprises that create jobs, use technology to solve problems and serve your communities with compassion. Never doubt your ability to change your country, your continent and the world,” he advised.
President Mahama said governments also had a responsibility to create an environment that enabled young people to realise their full potential.
“Our responsibility as leaders is to build societies that match your ambitions, societies founded on quality education, equal opportunity, innovation, democratic governance and shared prosperity,” he said.
He stressed that the liberation of Africa in the 21st century depended not only on political freedom but also on intellectual confidence, innovation and economic transformation.
Quoting Jamaican reggae icon Bob Marley, President Mahama said: “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds.”
“The liberation of the African mind remains one of the defining tasks of our generation. It demands confidence in our own institutions. It demands belief in our own capabilities and an unwavering commitment to accountability and excellence,” he added.
President Mahama urged young Africans to see themselves as heirs to a rich civilisation rather than descendants defined solely by the painful history of slavery.
“Above all, it requires that our young people see themselves not as descendants of slaves, but as heirs to greatness and architects of an even greater future,” he stated.
The President observed that Africa’s youthful population, abundant natural resources and growing innovation ecosystem, together with the Caribbean’s leadership in climate action, democracy and sustainable development, presented a unique opportunity for stronger cooperation.
He said the partnership between Africa and the Caribbean should be driven by innovation, scientific advancement, entrepreneurship and digital transformation to create jobs and improve livelihoods.
President Mahama also encouraged greater collaboration among universities, research institutions and young entrepreneurs, saying innovation should become a central pillar of Ghana-Jamaica relations.
He further the next generation to build bridges across cultures and nations while leading Africa and the Caribbean towards a future founded on justice, prosperity and shared progress.