By Gabriel Newton
The African Youth Leaders Awards (AFLA) has ended with a strong call for action, innovation and implementation as young leaders and entrepreneurs from across the continent gathered in Accra to celebrate excellence and discuss Africa’s development agenda.
The event, organised by Kensvic Communication and Event Management, took place at the Accra City Hotel under the theme “Beyond Borders Shaping Africa’s Next Era of Influence and Transformation”. It brought together participants from various African countries, including youth leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, traditional authorities and corporate executives.
The initiative is aimed at promoting continental unity, bridging leadership gaps and recognising outstanding contributions made by young Africans in entrepreneurship, innovation, governance and social impact.
Awardees
The night’s top honours went to Ambassador Ben Nixon Arthur Hagan, founder of Best Brains Senior High School, who was named Overall Humanitarian Impact Leader and Most Prominent Leader of the Year. His recognition was in acknowledgement of his contributions to education and humanitarian development.
In his acceptance speech, Ambassador Arthur Hagan urged African leaders and young people to move beyond rhetoric and focus on implementation and results. He stressed that the continent already possessed the human and material resources needed for transformation, but lacks consistent execution of ideas and policies.
He stated that Africa does not lack resources or intelligence among its youth, but often struggles with turning plans into action. He encouraged young leaders to shift from discussions to practical work, from dependency to innovation, and from complaints to building sustainable solutions.
Embrace entrepreneurship
The CEO of the Year award recipient, Jonathan Donkor, also encouraged young Africans to embrace entrepreneurship as a tool for economic transformation. He noted that youth participation in business creation and innovation is critical to strengthening economies across the continent and improving living standards.
Other awardees
The event also honoured several individuals for their contributions across different sectors. Bright Peter Kweku Boateng received both the Innovator of the Year award and the Global African Youth Leader of the Year award in recognition of his work in innovation and leadership.
Gabriel Ato Mensah was named Outstanding Youth Politician of the Year for his involvement in youth development and political engagement. The Chief Executive Officer of Kensvic Group was also recognised as Influential CEO of the Year for leadership in corporate development and event management.
Traditional leadership was represented with Dr Nana Akomanyi Essandoh V, the chief of Gomoa Odumase, who was honoured as African Traditional Leader of the Year for his role in community leadership and cultural preservation.
Special honorary awards
Special honorary awards were also presented to Honourable Joana Gyan, Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central, and His Royal Majesty Dr King Kelvin Morgan, who holds the title King of the African Youth Kingdom, for their contributions to youth empowerment and development initiatives.
In her closing remarks, Akosua Amankwah, Chief Executive Officer of Kensvic Communication, expressed gratitude to participants and partners who supported the event. She reminded young Africans that they have a direct responsibility in shaping the future of the continent.
She encouraged the youth to take initiative, collaborate across borders and focus on practical solutions rather than relying solely on government interventions for economic and social progress. She emphasised that Africa’s transformation will depend largely on the creativity, discipline and commitment of its young population.
The ceremony ended with renewed calls for unity among African youth and a stronger push toward innovation, leadership development and cross border collaboration aimed at driving sustainable development across the continent.
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