The Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi has welcomed an initiative by the Ashanti Youth Association to bridge the growing disconnect between young people and leadership, backing efforts to restore trust and inspire youth engagement.

A delegation from the Association paid a courtesy call on KNUST Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson to formally invite her to a symposium aimed at inspiring the youth and fostering dialogue with established leaders.

Association President Dr. Ronald Anane said the symposium was designed to serve as a platform to rebuild trust and mentorship.

“In recent times, there is a gap widening between the youth and leadership, so this programme will serve as a platform to restore that connection and inspire the youth to aspire to excellence,” he said.

Prof. Mrs. Dickson described the initiative as timely, noting it would help ensure young people gain guidance from experienced leaders. She urged the Association to extend the effort beyond the symposium by organising mentorship sessions that provide sustained support.

“This initiative is timely because our young people need consistent guidance from leaders who have walked the path before them,” she said.

The Vice-Chancellor also encouraged the Association to broaden its mission to address environmental challenges in the Ashanti Region.

She cited plastic pollution as a pressing issue and urged members to mobilise resources to help curb the problem. She also encouraged tree planting and collaboration with student groups on campus to strengthen conservation efforts.

Dr. Anane said the Association was ready to partner with KNUST on environmental projects.

“We hope to collaborate with the university to adapt models it has already implemented to reduce plastic waste on campus and scale them up to wider society. With this, we will be able to reverse the calamity plastics have caused,” he said.