The African Forum on Religion and Government–Ghana (AFREG-Ghana) has launched its first strategic national youth leadership and mentoring summit, scheduled for August 7 to August 12, 2012 in Accra.

The summit which had as its theme, “Developing Transformational Young Leaders from Africa to Impact the World, One Country at a Time,” would carefully select 550 national youth leaders to build their capacity for national transformation and in the long term for Regional and Global Leadership.

Speaking at the launch, Nana Yaw Offei Awuku, President of AFREG-Ghana said participants would be selected along the lines of government, religion, education, business, arts and entertainment, family and media to reflect the seven pillars of society for cultural change and National Transformation.

He noted that the key to a more prosperous Africa lies in the hands of its younger generation who would be the dynamic drivers of poverty reduction through long-term economic growth that creates employment. Adding that this requires a re-focused development agenda defined by African countries.

Nana Awuku said AGREG-Ghana was part of a continental movement that seeks to build African leaders of integrity who are committed to transforming Africa into a continent characterized by excellence and shaped by God-Centred values.

He said AFREG-Ghana also seeks to help catalyze the building of leaders of integrity to transform Ghana into a first World country, especially through partnership between the State and the Church.

Mr Abraham Odoom, a participant, noted that the summit was not just an event but the beginning of series of transformational events for the youth.

He appealed to corporate bodies to support the summit in order to sustain it to develop a framework for peace and stable environment with leaders of integrity.**