Hon. Sebastian Sandaare Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Development at UWESU 30th Anniversary

The Upper West Members of Parliament Caucus has pledged to intensify advocacy for policies that promote education, skills training and youth empowerment as the Upper West Students’ Union (UWESU) marked its 30th anniversary at the Sunyani Technical University.

The celebration, held under the theme “The Role of Leadership and Public Service in Promoting Youth Development and Regional Progress”, brought together students, traditional leaders and dignitaries from across the Upper West Region.

Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Sebastian Sandaare, MP for Daffiama‑Bussie‑Issa and Chairman of the Upper West MPs Caucus, described the milestone as a celebration of “the vision, commitment and unity of young people from the Upper West Region.”

Hon. Sandaare stressed that leadership must be measured by impact, not titles.

“Leadership is not only about occupying positions or holding titles. True leadership is about identifying problems and working to solve them. It is about creating opportunities and ensuring that people have the support they need to improve their lives,” he said.

He identified unemployment, inadequate practical skills and limited access to capital for entrepreneurship as major challenges confronting young people. He called for a deliberate shift toward skills‑based education, entrepreneurship, technology and innovation.

“A young person who has the right skills and opportunities can become an employer, not only a job seeker,” he added.

Hon. Sandaare noted that the Upper West Region holds significant potential in agriculture, tourism, technology and other sectors, but said unlocking that potential requires “the right investment, partnerships and leadership.”

“As Members of Parliament representing the region, we recognise our responsibility to advocate for policies, programmes and initiatives that improve the lives of our constituents,” he assured.

He encouraged students to see themselves as partners in development, urging them to deploy their education in service to their communities.

“Build your skills, embrace innovation, support one another and prepare yourselves for leadership. The future of the Upper West Region and Ghana will depend on your ideas, your commitment and your willingness to serve,” he said.

As part of the anniversary celebration, Hon. Sandaare presented a GH₵5,000 donation on behalf of the Upper West MPs Caucus to support UWESU’s activities.

He commended the Union for three decades of fostering unity among students from the region and expressed optimism about its continued role in nurturing responsible leaders.

“On behalf of the Upper West MPs Caucus, I congratulate UWESU on 30 years of dedicated service. We wish you greater success in the years ahead,” he concluded.

Since its establishment, UWESU has served as a platform for students from the Upper West Region to connect, support one another and champion the region’s development agenda.

— Denis Andaban // Vision TV