The Deputy Regional Director of Africa Leadership Development, Mr. Victor Addom has charged the youth to be steadfast in learning and work very hard in order to excel in life and be good leaders in the future.

“I challenge all of you to learn and work very hard; no laziness!... if you want to become committed, effective, selfless and dedicated leaders in Ghana and Africa” he stressed.

He made the remark at the closing ceremony of the 4th Annual Leadership Diary Training Program (LDTP) on the theme: “Becoming a generational thinker” which took place at the GNAT Hall in Accra on Saturday, July 16 2016.

The Leadership Diary Training Program (LDTP) is a brainchild of Youth Arise Organization, a Ghanaian based NGO instituted four years ago which seeks to educate, motivate and empower the youth become leaders in every sphere of life.

About seventy-five (75) young people have been trained and awarded certificates under this year’s program which is the 4th edition after successfully undergone seven weeks intensive training in Personal Development & Mentoring Session, Leadership Dev’t Session, Entrepreneurial & Financial Literacy Session and Community Services Educational trips among other which forms modules of the LTDP.

Delivering his keynote address, Deputy Regional Director of Africa Leadership Development, Victor Addom noted the bane of Ghana for that matter Africa lagging behind in development is as a result of lack of leadership.

He therefore conscientized the youth to be guided by the principles of good character, competency and chemistry, which according to him should be the yardstick for everyone desirous of becoming committed, effective, selfless and dedicated leader in Africa.

“Africa needs leadership, Ghana needs leadership. If we can get a new crop of leaders in this continent, Africa will shine” he emphasized.

President of Youth Arise Organization, Moses Baffour Awuah in an interview explained the program is uniquely designed to deal with the holistic aspect touching on every area of the young person’s life as far as leadership is concerned.

He however, bemoaned the rate at which most parents especially the poor ones deny their wards the right to participate in the programs ‘even though stressed that they are the ones that stand the chance to benefit most under the program’ but was quick to add that the middle and upper class families are doing well to see their children get on board each time.

Moses Awuah therefore called on all parents to offer their wards the opportunity to be part of the Leadership Diary Training Program which is being organized annually by his outfit to help them discover their God-given talents to be able to make differences in their communities.

Youth Arise Organization (YAO) is a body of young professionals committed to the principles and values of mentoring, education and policy oriented networking with the aim of empowering the young people to be selfless, effective and dedicated leaders.

Since its inception in 2012 and officially launched in 2014, it has trained about 500-1000 young people under different youth training programs modules which has benefited many youth in the country tremendously.

The 4th Annual Leadership Diary Training Program (LDTP) was organized by Youth Arise Organization with sponsorship from USAID, Africa Lead Development and Feed the Future.

The colorful ceremony which saw the presentation of certificates to the participants also witnessed the launch of the Organization’s website (www.youtharise.organization.com). In attendance were scores of parents, guardians, friends and loved ones of the participants including some dignitaries.