Africa We Want Symposium: Young Africans Adopt Accra Youth Communique to Advance Agenda 2063
Delegates from six African countries gathered at the Africa We Want Symposium in Accra to discuss challenges confronting the African continent and forge solutions guided by the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The Africa We Want Symposium, which formed part of the Orange Youth Festival, was organised by the Youth Arise Organization from August 19 to 23, 2026. It provided a platform for young people from across the continent to deliberate on issues affecting them and develop actionable recommendations to address them.
Through discussions and policy lab sessions, the young participants adopted the Accra Youth Communique, covering six key areas: intra-African trade and economic integration; governance, political participation and accountability; peace, security and social cohesion; African culture, identity and heritage; and people-driven development, including gender equality and inclusion.
The recommendations call for reduced barriers to intra-African trade and free movement, improved infrastructure and digital connectivity, greater youth participation in governance, stronger anti-corruption measures, responsible digital citizenship, support for African creative industries, protection of indigenous languages and heritage, and more inclusive development.
International delegates from countries including Benin, Cote D’Ivore, Kenya, Nigeria and Liberia affirmed their support for the Accra Youth Communique and pledged to promote its implementation.
Global CEO of Youth Arise Organization, Moses Baffour Awuah, assured participants that the communique would be shared with relevant youth-focused ministries and stakeholders across the continent for implementation.
He added that a central registry would be created to track initiatives and commitments arising from the recommendations contained in the communique. According to him, this will help to track progress in achieving the recommendations in the Accra Youth Communique.
Written by Samuel Nii Adjetey
You can read the full Accra Youth Communique here
