Mr. Bright Ofori, Executive Director of The Bright Future Alliance (TBFA) and a member of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) YouthLED Integrity Advisory Board, has been selected to represent Africa at the United Nations’ International Youth Day 2026 celebration.
The global event, themed “Different Contexts, Shared Futures: Youth Perspectives on Corruption,” will take place on 12 August 2026 and will bring together young leaders, researchers, policymakers and advocates from around the world to discuss the impact of corruption on the lives of young people and identify solutions for a more transparent and accountable future.
At the event, Bright Ofori will present Africa’s White Paper on Corruption, a document that reflects the voices, experiences and recommendations of young people from across the continent. The White Paper was developed following a regional consultation that he led with his fellow YouthLED Board members, across Africa under the auspices of the United Nations in 2025.
The consultation engaged several young people and youth-focused organisations from across 39 African countries, gathering their perspectives on how corruption affects education, employment, governance and opportunities for youth. The findings formed Africa’s contribution to the Global Youth Report, which was presented during of the 11th Session of the Conference of the States Parties (COSP11) to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, held in Doha, Qatar, in 2025. The findings has also been captured in UNODC’S Stolen Futures: How Corruption Hurts Young People publication in 2026.
Speaking ahead of the event, Mr. Ofori described the opportunity as both an honour and a responsibility.
“This is not a personal milestone but a recognition of the voices of millions of young Africans whom I am always ready to proudly represent. The White Paper represents their aspirations for integrity, accountability and inclusive governance. I am honoured to have led and ready to present their recommendations on the global stage.”
The International Youth Day dialogue is organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through the Global Resource for Anti-Corruption Education and Youth Empowerment (GRACE) Initiative. Discussions will focus on how corruption shapes the future of young people and the role youth can play in building accountable institutions.
Bright Ofori’s participation further reinforces his continuous contribution to global conversations on integrity, sustainable development and good governance in Ghana, Africa and across the world. Through his work with the UNODC YouthLED Integrity Advisory Board, TBFA and the Government of Ghana’s National Ethics and Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NEACAP II ) Working Group, he has contributed to champion meaningful youth participation in governance and policy development across the continent.
His presentation of Africa’s White Paper at the United Nations International Youth Day celebration marks another significant milestone in advancing African youth perspectives within international policymaking and strengthening global efforts to promote transparency and accountability through youth-led solutions.
