VODEC Africa, a development-oriented organisation, has launched the National Emerging Leaders’ Economic Forum (NELEF) 2025 with a call for stronger partnerships to showcase the innovation and potential of Ghana’s youth.
The Forum, themed “Is There Enough Youth Empowerment: The Gateway to Sustainable Economic Development?”, is scheduled for September 22, 2025, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), and is expected to draw 5,000 participants.
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Speaking at the launch, Mr. Daniel Asomani, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of VODEC Africa, said the vision was to build a Ghana where young talents succeed at home by innovating, creating jobs, and driving the economy. “This is a mission we cannot achieve alone. We need the partnership of government, the private sector, development agencies, and, critically, the media, to spotlight the innovations of our youth,” he said.
Mr. Asomani stressed that Ghanaian youth had the talent and resilience to lead, provided they were given the tools and trust. He said NELEF 2025 aimed to ensure that participants left not only with bright ideas but also with actionable steps, valuable networks, and the confidence to transform their vision into reality. The forum will focus on practical strategies in entrepreneurship, governance, climate change, and digital transformation.
Highlighting VODEC Africa’s journey, Mr. Asomani noted that over the past eight years, the organisation had empowered thousands of entrepreneurs nationwide, mobilised hundreds of volunteers, and supported projects ranging from agricultural innovation in rural communities to digital startups and social enterprises tackling waste management and youth leadership.
Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, International Evangelist and Board Chairman of VODEC Africa, who officially launched the Forum, urged young people to take advantage of the platform to learn and improve their lives. Barimah Acheampong Sarpong II, Chief of Sekyere Asaman and chairman for the occasion, appealed to the government, private sector, churches, and civil society to support youth empowerment.
“Youth empowerment is not optional; it is the gateway to sustainable development,” he said, calling on the media to amplify youth success stories and influence policy through advocacy.
NELEF 2025 is positioned as a turning point to transform youth ideas into national development solutions, with organisers stressing that the time has come for young people to lead Ghana’s next chapter of growth.
