NPP flagbearer and former Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, together with Minority Leader of Parliament, Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, will headline the Young Commons Forum (YCF) KNUST and KsTU Summit scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the New Great Hall of Kumasi Technical University (KsTU).
The summit, expected to attract more than 1,000 students at 2:00 p.m., will bring together participants from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), alongside youth leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and emerging changemakers for discussions on governance, leadership, entrepreneurship and youth participation in national development.
The programme forms part of the Young Commons Forum’s expanding engagement with tertiary institutions nationwide, aimed at deepening young people’s involvement in Ghana’s democratic and socio-economic transformation.
Dr. Bawumia and Osahen Afenyo-Markin are expected to interact directly with students in an open forum designed to bridge political leadership and the youth, while drawing on their experiences in governance and parliamentary service.
The session is also expected to offer students the opportunity to engage the two leaders on national issues, while challenging them on policy direction, leadership decisions and the future of youth participation in governance.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin is expected to particularly address contemporary national issues, while underscoring the influence of young people in shaping policy outcomes, strengthening democratic institutions and driving sustainable development.
Youth empowerment
Organisers describe the summit as a practical platform for dialogue, where students will not only engage leaders but also share ideas and propose solutions to challenges confronting the country.
Discussions will focus on leadership development, governance, entrepreneurship, responsible citizenship, digital innovation and expanding opportunities for young people to actively shape Ghana’s future.
The inclusion of both KNUST and KsTU is expected to create a diverse intellectual mix, bringing together students from science, engineering, technology, business, communication and the humanities.
Growing national movement
The Young Commons Forum, launched by Osahen Afenyo-Markin in September 2025, has quickly grown into a nationwide youth engagement platform.
Previous editions held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), University of Education, Winneba (UEW), and University of Cape Coast (UCC) recorded strong student participation, strengthening the forum’s profile as a space for constructive dialogue between political leaders and young people.
The initiative focuses on building leadership capacity among students through mentorship, entrepreneurship support, civic education and skills development, with the aim of preparing them for active roles in Ghana’s democratic and economic life.
Strengthening youth voices in Kumasi
Organisers say the KNUST and KsTU edition is likely to be among the largest youth governance gatherings in the Ashanti Region this year, reflecting growing student interest in public policy and national development debates.
Saturday’s Young Commons Forum summit is expected to encourage collaboration among students, stimulate critical thinking and inspire a new generation of leaders committed to innovation, responsibility and national progress.
Ultimately, the YCF has continued to establish itself as a youth-led platform that promotes leadership development, encourages democratic participation, and seeks to empower the next generation of changemakers.
