The Global Youth Workers Conference (GYWC) began in Accra with a warm welcome night that marked the official start of the five-day event. In his welcome address to delegates from countries including the United States, Liberia, Benin, Kenya, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Ghana the Global CEO of Youth Arise Organization (YAO), Moses Baffour Awuah, spoke about the lack of recognition for youth work as a structured field.
“Youth work is something that so many have not taken seriously. It has been done by few people who love young people and who are passionate about young people. And many have not seen it as a profession and a practice. We believe that it is time to change that narrative”, he said.
He referenced a statement by former U.S. President Barack Obama during his visit to Ghana, stressing the importance of local actions in global development.
“The future of this world will not just be determined by what happens in Rome or in Washington or in London, but also what will happen here in Accra, Ghana. And I’m excited that for the next three, four days, something great is going to start from Accra, Ghana to the rest of the world”, Mr. Awuah said.
Mr. Awuah also encouraged participants to engage fully with the sessions and discussions. He called on individuals from all fields to support the growth of young people by incorporating youth work into their activities.
“We want to get everyone to understand that no matter your profession and no matter your area of interest, you can add youth work to whatever that you do. And second, we
want people to get up one day and say that I am going to focus on raising a generation. And that is what we want to do with the Global Youth Workers Conference”, added.
