10 new aircraft, new companies to inspire youth into aerospace careers

The Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, has announced that Strategic Initiatives Limited is working on projects that will lead to the establishment of new companies in the aviation and aerospace sector. The initiative, according to the Paramount Chief of the Asogli Traditional Area, also includes ongoing efforts to develop a pilot training school and an aircraft maintenance facility in Ho aimed at inspiring and equipping young people to pursue careers and entrepreneurial opportunities in the aviation and aerospace sectors. As well as plans by Africa Airlines to procure 10 new large aircraft as part of its expansion programme. According to Togbe Afede, the airline would resume flights to Abidjan on August 31, 2026, with the first of the 10 aircraft expected to arrive in Ghana by September 15. He announced the 2026 Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Day, an event designed to socially and financially empower the youth as part of the annual Yam Festival. Togbe Afede said the objective of Asogli Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship was to inspire the next generation to believe in their abilities, create businesses, make an impact and contribute meaningfully to the development of the Volta Region, Ghana and Africa. “I’m happy to announce that the expansion that we had to postpone because of COVID is commencing right now,” Togbe Afede said. “On the 31st of August, we shall restore our flights to Abidjan. By the middle of September, we have the first of 10 large aircraft we plan to acquire.” He said the expansion formed part of broader efforts to develop Ghana’s aviation industry and provide young people with opportunities to pursue careers in the sector. In his words, “We’re still working very hard to build a pilot training school here in Ho, a maintenance facility for aircraft that should help give our youth opportunity and inspire them to aim for careers in aviation and the aerospace sector.” The initiatives, he explained, formed part of a broader entrepreneurial vision of his company Strategic Initiatives Limited, which he described as being “in the business of creating businesses.” He urged young people to take advantage of the opportunities being created and develop the confidence to pursue ambitious careers and business ventures, regardless of their backgrounds. “I’m saying this to inspire all of you that you all can do it,” Togbe Afede told the participants, recounting his own journey from humble beginnings to becoming an entrepreneur involved in banking, energy and aviation. He said his experience demonstrated that young people did not necessarily need to begin with extensive resources or experience before pursuing major opportunities. Togbe Afede said his entrepreneurial journey had taken him into areas in which he initially had little or no experience, including the energy and aviation sectors. He cited the establishment of an independent power producer and his subsequent involvement in aviation as examples of ventures that required courage, learning and a willingness to take risks. He encouraged the youth to view entrepreneurship not merely as a means of making money but as an avenue to solve problems and create meaningful change in society. “Personally, I like impact. To do great things, to do things that make life better for the people. When you do that, and do it successfully, money will come,” he said. The Agbogbomefia also called for education that liberates the mind and enables young people to think critically, make independent decisions and identify opportunities. He urged them to avoid excessive dependence on superstition and instead believe in their own abilities while recognising the importance of faith. He stressed that young people, who constitute the majority of the population, should not limit themselves to seeking employment but should aspire to become employers and creators of businesses. According to him, the youth empowerment initiative is designed to empower young people socially, politically and economically while nurturing the confidence, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit required to contribute to national development. He urged participants to transfer the enthusiasm they demonstrated on the dance floor during the programme into their education, careers and businesses. “Let’s take the same passion to our work. The same passion will excel, I promise you,” he said. Togbe Afede said his own humble beginnings, including attending Kpedze Secondary School and fetching water from a stream, did not prevent him from pursuing higher education and eventually establishing businesses in several sectors. He therefore challenged the young people to identify their strengths, discover areas of need and courageously pursue opportunities, stressing that Africa’s development required young people who were prepared to become agents of change.Source: Desmond Tinana, Contributor
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