Nekotech Future Leaders Global launched at the UN on Int. Youth Day

A Women-led twelve-member Ghanaian youth delegation of the USA Chapter of the Nekotech Center of Excellence Global Future Leaders- Peace and Integrity Academy - will be received at the United Nations to celebrate the International Youth Day – under the theme: ‘Youth Civic Engagement’.

The Academy founder and co-chairperson, renowned philanthropist and diasporan African leader, Her Excellency Rev Dr Ocansey, indicated that this marked the global launch of the three-year pilot program. The UN Secretary General, HE Ban Ki-moon made a call to the youth to take part in the shaping of the sustainable development goals.

‘This year marks the seventieth anniversary of the United Nations Charter and the twentieth anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth. In support of their aims, My Youth Envoy is helping to mobilize this largest generation of young people in history. As he says, youth engagement can help turn the world we want into the world we deserve. Let us all support young people in creating a future where our planet is protected and all people live in dignity,’ said UN Secretary General, HE Ban Ki-moon in his speech to mark the International Youth Day.

'We are very excited to have our Global Future leaders – of the US-Africa Peace and Integrity Academy- at this historic International Youth Day- marking the Academy’s global launch and we believe that armed with the appropriate knowledge, training and support, especially focused on the three crucial areas of leadership, peace and integrity, our youth will be the channel of blessing to deliver the best of a new Africa to the world,' said HE Rev. Dr. Ocansey.

Mrs. Victoria Hajar, Executive Chairperson of Atlantic Port Services and Co-Chairperson of the Academy said: ‘As a women-led initiative, we are committed to ensuring that our youth are not left out of the global machineries that will be shaping the future of our world post 2015. The goals of our Peace and Integrity Academy is to offer our youth the knowledge and skills they need to develop holistically, and to empower them to use these skills to impact communities, their nation and the world.’

Yvonne Lamptey, head of the USA Diasporan Chapter of the Nekotech Center Global Future Leaders - working in partnership with the House of Faith Ministries – New Jersey, USA Branch First lady, Mrs. Rosemarie Saforo Addo, said: ‘Our youth have been beyond excited to be able to experience the UN for the first time in their lives, said Yvonne. The Nekotech Global Future Leaders Peace and Integrity Academy is making great strides already among our youth, networking Ghanaian youth born in Ghana with Ghanaian youth born in America and other youth of African descent, to join forces with other future global leaders at the UN today- to network,’ indicated Ms Lamptey with joy.

Rev. Patrick Arthur, Director and Academy Lecturer of the Nekotech Center said: ‘We are working with Peace Alliance in Washington DC, the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Center in Accra, Channels of Blessings Global Ministry, House of Faith Ministries, CICA University and Seminary, the AU Diasporan African Forum, the Meditation Museum in DC among other partners, to enrich our students – 16-30 years - with both biblical and secular training - in these three crucial areas of leadership, peace and integrity. God willing, our members in Ghana from the University of Ghana, KNUST, Ashesi, Radford, Central University and The Morning Star International High School, who are currently under training in Ghana will also be able to participate in World Peace Day activities this September and to participate in next year’s UN Youth Day, said Rev. Arthur.

‘In this landmark year, as leaders prepare to adopt a bold new vision for sustainable development, the engagement of youth is more valuable than ever. At this critical moment in history, I call on young people to demand and foster the dramatic progress so urgently needed,’ said the UN Secretary General, HE Ban Ki-moon.

Nyhira Kwesi Apprah-Berko, a 16-year-old academy member had this to say: ‘This is a dream come true! I was in Ghana with my friend, Samuele Hajar, who introduced me to the Nekotech Global Future Leaders Academy and I am so happy my parents allowed me to join. Now look at me in New York going to the UN! It is awesome!’

The Global Future Leaders- Peace and Integrity Academy’s Distinguished Council of Elders is headed by HE Mr. Victor Gbeho, former President of ECOWAS and Ghana’s former Ambassador to the UN, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Peace and Integrity Academy is a 3-year pilot project with three programs lined up each year for Ghanaian youth from Ghana to the USA as well as all African/African American Youth in the USA: September 9-22, January 12-24 2016 and July 31-August 15, 2016.

The UN programs are headed by coordinator and Board Member Yvonne Lamptey, and Washington DC programs are headed by coordinator and board member, Dr. Brenda Belton, a renowned Harvard-trained educationist. The Academy is run under the support of the Ghana Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as the Diasporan Bureau of the Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

International Youth Day is an opportunity to celebrate the creative force and the innovative impetus that young people bring to every society. This year’s theme – “Youth Civic Engagement” is what the Nekotech Global Future Leaders Peace and Integrity Academy is all about!