Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future

Join us at the NextGen Opportunities Forum 2025 to explore youth empowerment, innovation, and legal migration for a brighter future in Ghana and across Africa.

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Youth Forum

Theme: Youth Empowerment for a Sustainable Future – One Bold Step: Unlocking Youth Potential for Jobs, Innovation & Legal Migration

Speaker Lineup

Explore our lineup of 40 speakers with bios and handles.

Salim Anchebah

Salim Anchebah is a Project Manager and CEO of McSaa Groups with 7+ years' experience in sustainable development across Africa. He leads projects in agribusiness, energy, and logistics, mentors startups, and advocates for education. Salim blends strategic leadership with a passion for innovation, community development, and environmental stewardship.

Diana Setsofia Agbenyo

Diana S. Agbenyo is a brand strategist and founder of Moselle Marketing, with 10+ years’ experience in leadership communications and youth development. She helps leaders, behind the scenes, build impactful brands. Her work spans JA Ghana, BTL Africa, and TheBoardroom Africa, empowering underestimated voices to influence and lead.

Solomon Sedinam Agbemenya

Solomon Sedinam Agbemenya, CEO of Pod Solutions, is a fintech leader and business consultant with 12+ years’ experience in strategy, innovation, and process optimization. A Certified AI Specialist and Scrum Master, he’s also an author, startup advisor, and award winner, currently pursuing a DBA to further his lifelong learning journey.

Daniel Owusu

Daniel Owusu is a multi-award-winning youth leader and innovation strategist with 10+ years' experience in digital transformation and venture building. Trained by Google, MIT, and McKinsey, he has impacted 200,000+ youth, supported 200 startups, and now leads enterprise support at Impact Investing Ghana and Misfits Consulting.

Michael Agyekum Gyamfi

Emmaline Datey is a Public Speaker, HR Strategist, and CEO of ICS Africa with 15+ years of experience. She empowers women through The Fearless and Fabulous Network and West Africa Female Leaders Network. Recognized globally, she advocates for leadership, inclusion, and gender equity across Africa’s corporate and entrepreneurial landscapes.

Derrick Frimpong

Born in Ahafo Kenyasi, Derrick Frimpong overcame cultural misconceptions about disabilities through education. Now a special educator, master’s student, and musician, he advocates for inclusion and fights stigma surrounding Autism and related disorders. His work empowers children with disabilities across Ghana through awareness, education, and community-driven change.

Robert Akoto Amoafo is a leadership strategist and certified coach dedicated to equipping Africa’s youth for the future. With expertise in capacity-building and organisational development, he champions agile learning—combining formal education with real-world skills, critical thinking, and self-taught expertise to foster innovation, leadership, and long-term success in a fast-changing world.

Michael Agyekum Gyamfi, known as Qhojo Thunderr, is a rising musical talent blending Afrobeat, hip-hop, and conscious lyrics to tackle social issues. Known for tracks like “Jonky” and “Dreamcrushers,” he uses music to inspire youth, advocate against drug abuse, and deliver powerful storytelling with authenticity and cultural relevance.

Robert Akoto Amoafo

Emmaline Datey

Nazifatu Mohammed Abdulai is an award-winning entrepreneur and communications expert with two MBAs in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Founder of Casa Tomato Restaurant and The Brand Accelerator, she trains and mentors in branding, soft skills, and business strategy. A PhD student and mother of five, she aspires to expand into research and development.

Florence Toffa

More Lineup

Laureen Tsenuokpor

Laureen is the CEO of Launaires Consult, a certified counselor, transformational coach, and sustainability practitioner with 12+ years in public service. She champions youth empowerment through global partnerships, ambassadorial roles, and mental health advocacy. Passionate about human potential, she leads impactful initiatives across Africa, holding degrees in psychology and strategy.

Florence Toffa is a leading tech and entrepreneurship advocate with 14+ years of experience across Africa. As Director of Mobile Web Ghana, she champions digital inclusion, women’s empowerment, and youth innovation. Through initiatives like AI Knowledge Hub and Africa Digital Skills Conference, she fosters tech access, mentorship, and sustainable impact

Nazifatu Mohammed Abdulai

Catherine Ekar

Catherine Ekar is the Country Head of Private Banking and Wealth Management at FirstBank Ghana with 18+ years’ experience in mortgages, retail, and investment banking. Passionate about inclusive finance, she drives literacy, mentors women, champions health and education initiatives, and blends private banking expertise with purposeful, values-driven leadership across Africa and beyond.

Emelia Dede Quist

Emelia Dede Quist is a seasoned business development leader and PMP-certified strategist driving employer partnerships at Generation Ghana, bridging talent and tech. She champions female empowerment in Ghana through mentorship and initiatives like GROW and the Empower Her Foundation.

Cynthia Mawulawoe Kodowu is a seasoned HR professional, life coach, and trainer with over 20 years' experience across banking, education, and entrepreneurship. She leads Perbi Cubs Africa as COO, co-founded Nea Onnim Foundation, and champions human rights. Cynthia empowers individuals and organizations through strategic leadership, mentorship, and lifelong learning.

Cynthia Mawulawoe Kodowu

Kayla C. Geraldo is a dynamic program coordinator and entrepreneurship development expert with a BA in Business Administration (Marketing). She has trained and mentored over 2,000 entrepreneurs across sectors like tech, fashion, and agriculture, driving impact across Africa through strategic leadership, youth empowerment, and collaborative project execution

Adiza Ibrahim, also known as Kuburah Diamonds, is a social entrepreneur and women’s advocate. She leads Marketing & Media Relations at Electroland Ghana and founded Kuburah Diamonds Foundation and ZANGWOLEAP. With expertise in communications, marketing, and law, she empowers women through education, livelihood programs, and community transformation initiatives.

Kayla C. Geraldo

Adiza Ibrahim

Lucy Afari

Lucy Afari is the founder and CEO of Flexy Foods Ltd, an eco-friendly agro-processing company in Accra. She empowers youth and women, producing chocolates, cashew snacks, and yogurt in a solar-powered facility. A certified project manager and trainer, Lucy coaches aspiring entrepreneurs and champions MSME development in Ghana.

Dinah Hammond

Dinah Hammond is an Investment Manager at Savannah Impact Advisory with 13+ years of experience in private equity, financial advisory, and entrepreneurial support across high-impact sectors. Passionate about gender equity and venture building, she has helped raise over $300M in funds and advises impactful businesses while mentoring through leading development institutions.

Emmanuel Mumuni is a digital economy specialist and Component Manager at GIZ Ghana’s Digital Transformation Centre. With 12 years' experience, he leads AI, e-commerce, and startup support initiatives. He contributed to key national policies, mentors startups in Ghana and Nigeria, and has held leadership roles in entrepreneurship-focused organizations.

Emmanuel Mumuni

Benjamin Gyan-Kesse

Benjamin Gyan-Kesse is the Executive Director of Kosmos Innovation Center, Ghana, a Not-for Profit Organization, and business incubation hub, where he is driving the strategic execution of sustainable value chain transformation through innovation and tech for young people and entrepreneurs within the agricultural sector, with over 25 years’ experience in agribusiness development.

Shirley Tony Kum

Shirley Tony Kum is a seasoned PR expert with 18+ years' experience in communications across media, mining, and energy sectors. As Head of Corporate Communications at Vivo Energy Ghana, she has led award-winning campaigns, enhanced stakeholder trust, and championed female leadership. She's also an alumna of UG, Leicester, and GIJ.

Makafui Awuku

Makafui Awuku is a social innovator, entrepreneur, and environmentalist who contributed to Ghana’s Plastic Waste Management Policy. He built Accra’s first bus shelter from 3.5 tons of plastic waste, created eco-products from waste, trained 15,000 youth, and supports circular economy research across Ghana, the U.S., UK, and Canada.

Akua Ampah

Akua Ampah is a career development expert advancing youth employability through education and tech. Through ClearPath Career Consult, she leads employer engagement and skills programs. They developed TASK2HIRE, a platform using gamified tasks to prepare students for work by building skills and connecting them to real opportunities.

Emmanuel Leslie Addae

Emmanuel Leslie Addae is a social entrepreneur, educator, and youth advocate passionate about empowering Africa’s youth through education, technology, and opportunity. He co-founded TalentsinAfrica, curates TEDxAccra, and leads the NextGen Opportunities Forum 2025, impacting thousands through talent development, innovation, and platforms for bold, purpose-driven action.

Event Location

Join us in Accra, Ghana, for the NextGen Opportunities Forum 2025, a pivotal event for youth empowerment and innovation.

Venue

British Council Ghana, Accra

Date

Friday, August 15, 2025 from 9 AM - 5 PM

Agenda

Theme: “Youth Empowerment for a Sustainable Future – One Bold Step: Unlocking Youth Potential for Jobs, Innovation & Legal Migration”

🕘 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Arrival & Registration

Guest check-in & networking
Opening visuals/music- Performer: Lady Tee

🎤 9:30 AM – 9:45 AM

Opening Cultural Performance

Nana Asaase – Powerful spoken word to set the tone

🎙 9:45 AM – 10:00 AM

Opening Speeches

Emmanuel Leslie Addae, Curator

🗝 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Keynote Address

Topic: “Positioning Ghana’s Youth for a Sustainable Future”

🔵 10:15 AM – 10:35 AM

Panel 1: Degrees vs Skills — What Truly Prepares Africa’s Youth for the Future?

Moderator: Cynthia Mawulawe Kodowu
Speakers: Robert Akoto Amoafo, Emmanuel Awumee, Akua Ampah & Emmaline Datey

🔵 10:35 AM – 10:50 AM

Panel 2: Purpose & Profit – Building Brands that Drive Impact

Moderator: Kayla C. Geraldo
Speakers: Shirley Tony Kum, Eric Kumah, Adiza Ibrahim, & Cynthia Ofori-Dwumfuo

🔵 10:50 AM – 11:15 AM

Panel 3: Can African Startups Thrive Without Global Venture Capital?

Moderator: Emmanuel Mumuni
Speakers: Laureen Tsenuokpor, Lucy Afari, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse & Dinah Hammond Afful

🔵 11: 15 AM – 11:25 AM

Main Talk: Why My Failure Was My Breakthrough

Speaker: Bernard Kelvin Clive

🔵 11: 25 AM – 11:35 AM

Main Talk: Design Thinking for Social Change

Speaker: Christian Elongue

🔵 11: 35 AM – 11:45 AM

Main Talk: How I Built My Startup with Nothing

Speaker: Dr. Chiedza Jane Ikpeh

🔵 11:45 AM – 12:05 PM

Panel 4: AI & Automation — Are We Creating Jobs or Killing Them?

Moderator: Jorge Appiah
Speakers: Emmanuel Agbeko Gamor, Simon W. Alangde, Ronald Tagoe, & Dr. Hephzi Angela Tagoe

🔵 12:05 PM – 12:15 PM

Musical Performance

Performer: Qhojo Thunder –
Performing "Jonky" (Anti-drug anthem)

🔵 12:15 PM – 1:10 PM

Lunch Break & Networking

Performer: Live Band – Lady Tee

🔵 1:10 PM – 1:20 PM

Main Talk: Digital Identity & Belonging

Speaker: Joseph Nii Otinkorang Ankrah

🔵 1: 20 PM – 1:40 PM

Panel 5: From Hustle to Impact — Is the Side Gig Economy Helping or Hurting Youth Potential?

Moderator: Lexy Abena Boahene
Speakers: Kwaku Addo, Akosua Naana Lexis Obenewaa Opoku-Agyemang, Ransford Mensah, & Daniel Owusu

🔵 1: 40 PM – 2:00 PM

Panel 6: Who Tells Africa’s Story? The Role of Media, Creatives & Culture in Shaping Opportunity

Moderator: Ewura Adams Karim
Speakers: Nadia Owusu, Makafui Awuku, Josephine Kalira Tanlongo, & Diana S. Agbenyo

🔵 2:00 PM – 2:10 PM

Main Talk: Creating Without Permission

Speaker: Eldad Nutakor

🔵 2: 20 PM – 2:30 PM

Main Talk: The Future of Work Is Now

Speaker: Solomon Agbemenya

🔵 2: 30 PM – 2:50 PM

Panel 7: Breaking Barriers or Building New Ones? The Real State of Women in Business and Work

Moderator: Stephenia Amponsah
Speakers: Nazifa Mohammed, Sherif Ghali, Pearl Emefa Siale, & Florence Toffa

🎶 2: 50 PM – 3:00 PM

Musical Performance

Performer: Phrimpong

🔵 2: 00 PM – 2:20 PM

Main Talk: The Business of Influence

Speaker: Salim Anchebah

🎤 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Closing Reflections & Group Photo

Appreciation of speakers, partners, and volunteers

Youth Empowerment

Showcasing innovation and opportunities for Africa's youth at forum.

Youth Empowerment Ticket

Join us for the NextGen Opportunities Forum 2025, where we will explore youth empowerment, innovation, and legal migration. Engage with leaders and visionaries to unlock potential and create pathways for jobs and entrepreneurship in Ghana and across Africa.

GHC50

Innovation Forum Ticket

Be part of the conversation at the NextGen Opportunities Forum 2025. Connect with change-makers and explore innovative solutions for youth employment and migration. Together, we can shape a sustainable future for the next generation in Africa.