The NYA CEO, Osman Ayariga in a group photo with NUGS officials and members
The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has unveiled plans for the highly anticipated National Youth Festival 2025 (NNYF2025), launching the initiative at a dynamic media event held in Accra.
The occasion brought together key stakeholders, signaling the start of a nationwide celebration of youth potential, innovation, and empowerment.
Held with the goal of inclusive youth development, the launch was graced by a cross-section of participants including student leaders from tertiary institutions across the country, representatives from partner institutions, and members of the press.
The event also attracted the presence of major governmental bodies, affirming national support for the initiative.
Notable attendees from the public sector included the Deputy CEO of the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF), Kojo Danquah; the Director for Ports at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Patrick Essien; and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Ayariga, who officially declared the festival launched as Special Guest of Honour.
In his keynote address, NUGS President, H.E. Daniel Korley Botchway, described the festival as a landmark initiative designed to spotlight the full spectrum of student and youth development in Ghana.
He outlined the diverse scope of activities under the NNYF2025 umbrella, highlighting its reach from basic to tertiary education, and beyond.
Among the core components of the festival are:
Paint the Future – a nationwide school beautification and learning aid campaign led by students
A Tree for Every Student – a student-led tree-planting and sustainability drive
Career and Education Fairs – regional and national platforms for career guidance
NUGS Sports Fiesta – nationwide inter-school sporting competitions
NUGS Literafest – a literacy challenge focused on basic school learners
National Students Business Challenge – promoting entrepreneurship across campuses
Climate Action Campaign – environmental education and action in schools
Innovation and Tech Expo – celebrating student innovation and creativity
Global Youth Dialogue – thought leadership and civic engagement forums
President Botchway stressed that NUGS, while rooted in advocacy for educational development, has broadened its focus to encompass entrepreneurship, digital innovation, civic responsibility, environmental sustainability, and physical well-being, embodying a holistic youth empowerment agenda.
Spanning all 16 regions, the festival will engage 98 campuses and feature over 218 events, creating a truly national experience. The Regional Celebrations are scheduled from June 1 to July 27, 2025, with the grand National Convocation taking place in Accra from July 28 to August 3, 2025.
“The National Youth Festival will serve as a rallying point for national development through youth participation,” said President Botchway. “We are proud to build a platform that reflects the vision, energy, and aspirations of young people across the country.”
As NNYF2025 officially kicks off, NUGS reaffirms its role as Ghana’s foremost youth development organization, committed to uniting institutions, communities, and leaders in building a future driven by young minds.
