Young people have been encouraged to take up leadership opportunities in their various spaces rather than wait for an uncertain future before making an impact. The call was made on Springboard Hangout with Comfort Ocran, where youth advocate Miss Selma Yoda and researcher and entrepreneur Mr. Caleb Acheampong shared their experiences and perspectives on youth leadership, purpose and social change.
Speaking on the topic, Youth in Leadership, Advocacy & Empowerment, the guests challenged the popular notion that young people are merely “leaders of tomorrow”, stressing that leadership must begin in the present and can take place in any sphere of life.
Mr. Acheampong revealed that leadership is not reserved for people occupying prominent positions, but is a responsibility that could be exercised within an individual’s immediate environment. He explained that while people may have innate leadership potential, they must deliberately develop their abilities through learning, experience and personal growth.
“Everyone is a leader,” he said, adding that leadership could exist within a small circle or sphere and was not necessarily about being at the top or being highly visible.
The Young Advocate also identified purpose and identity as major challenges among young people. He referred to a survey he conducted involving about 180 young people, saying 50% of respondents identified issues around purpose and identity as among their major challenges, with many seeking clarity, direction and support in life.
According to him, young people must develop the courage to question established ways of doing things and develop personal conviction instead of simply following what society considers normal. He urged young people to develop the ability to unlearn old ideas and remain open to better ways of doing things.
According to Miss Yoda, her journey into leadership and advocacy was strongly influenced by her late grandfather, who taught her to speak up when she encountered wrongdoing and to seek solutions rather than merely complain about problems.
She said his example taught her to be bold, strong and willing to act in the interest of others, and recounted how she had gradually taken up leadership positions at different stages of her education, including serving as Pro General Secretary and later as Deputy Women’s Commissioner before becoming the first female President of her institution.
According to her, these experiences helped her recognise leadership qualities in herself that she had not initially identified. She urged young women in particular not to allow societal expectations about the roles of men and women to prevent them from pursuing leadership opportunities.
The Young Advocate added that women should be willing to step into spaces traditionally considered to be for men and should approach leadership with a clear understanding of why they are taking up a particular role. “Always ask yourself, ‘Why am I there? Why am I doing it?’” she said, explaining that clarity of purpose could help leaders remain committed when challenges arise.
She also emphasised the importance of mentoring younger people and passing on knowledge and lessons gained through personal experience. According to her, the greatest contribution older generations can make to younger people is not necessarily financial support but knowledge that can help them make better decisions and develop their own capacity.
Watch full episode here https://www.youtube.com/live/IbFz0yKRabc?si=x5cI1_JgQ6rLKwro
About Springboard Hangout
Springboard Hangout is a funducative, youth-centred show hosted by Comfort Ocran. It features inspiring stories, practical skills, and real-life experiences aimed at educating, entertaining, and equipping the next generation. The programme airs every Saturday at 4:00 PM on Joy Prime TV and on the Springboard Channel on Facebook and YouTube.
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