The following was submitted by ASFL Local Coordinator Oluwafemi Ogunjobi

Prof. George Ayittey, a Ghanaian Professor, said; ‘the Cheetah generation is the generation of youths that will not wait for the government to do things for them; they are the ones Africa’s salvation rests on their shoulders’. For four days, youths across Africa gathered at the Wood Training Center, Kumasi, Ghana for the 2015 Winter Liberty, & Entrepreneurship Camp organized by African Youths Peace Call (AYPC).

Kumasi is the capital city of the Ashanti region, a very important and historical center for Ghana. Tradition is held very high in the city and blends very well with modernity. The ancient capital of the Ashanti kingdom, Kumasi is still the heart of Ashanti country and the site of West Africa’s largest cultural center. To add to the appeal, it is surrounded by rolling green hills and has a vast central market as vibrant as any in Africa.

It hosts the Wood Training Center, which youths from various parts of Africa converged on last week, spreading the gospel of liberty, entrepreneurship and prosperity.

As the youths in their numbers moved to the camp, through Accra,  Aflao, Ejisu, residents, who stood in from their homes, watching, screamed ‘Akwaaba’ (Twi for welcome).

The youths arrived with what they called message of “good news” for the 2015 Winter Liberty, & Entrepreneurship Camp. Many of them are members of the African Students For Liberty (ASFL) whose aim is to chart a new course for peace, liberty and prosperity in Africa.

The theme of the conference, sponsored by Atlas Economic Research Foundation (ATLAS), Washington DC, and ISIL.org, was ‘Building Africa, One Entrepreneur at a Time’

Speakers from different countries charged the participants to take the gospel of liberty, and entrepreneurship to rural communities in Africa. Only then will the continent be freed from the shackles of poverty and dependence.

Ajibola Adigun, an executive board member at African Students For Liberty led the pack of speakers. There was also Gregory Diehl, a business narrative expert at Market Fit, Patrick White, Ken Van Doren, Susanne Tarkowski, Steve Horwitz, a Professor of Economics among others.

Adigun, who spoke on ‘Libertarianism in Africa’, explained that the most important thing for Africa right now is meaningful development and a need to prioritize economic freedom. He said the aim of the conference was for the youngsters to open their minds to the challenge of creating institutions that make laws work, urging them to challenge claims and ideologies of political leaders on political economy to know the idea that could work to emancipate the people out of poverty. He added that the ideas of liberty have been tested and proven to be the best to change the world.

Ajibola, a writer with Young Voices, blamed the rot in Africa’s economic and political system to centralized authority and social entitlements. He said ‘our political institutions in Africa don’t respond well to changes, and it’s unfortunate that many of us trust the government with every detail of our lives, whereas they – the government – rob Peter to pay Paul.’ He made a case for mutual respect among humans, adding that the more we value humans, the more it aids development.

Adigun told the participants not to look up to certain authorities for their survival, but be ‘creative destructors’ whom Africa’s salvation rests on their backs. ‘We don’t need to ‘lobby’ the government with these entitlements, but need to embrace the culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and peaceful co-existence. That is when doors would be open for Africa, and other parts of the world.’

Speaking on Free Market Environmentalism, Afrikanus Kofi Akosah, AYPC’s President said African countries must pull down the border obstruction against trade to achieve economic prosperity. He explained that, where people are free to trade, value is created, respect is earned, and wealth is possible. He laments on how closed borders have closed opportunities to create wealth.

‘’Why do we have so many trade borders connecting African countries, when trade in itself is peaceful? It’s time governments handed off economic activities among people, and allow people to express preference for particular goods.’’ Akosah stated.

Gregory Diehl, a business consultant who spoke on ‘Meaningful Business Development’ said as an Entrepreneur, you need to understand your audience, know how to calculate your risks and get things done, saying that business is for people who want to create something meaningful with and important with their lives, and reap personal rewards at the same time.

He advised attendees to come up with meaningful business structures that will magnify their earning potential.  ‘’It is very, very, difficult to get rich without creating a structure to leverage your efforts. With the right structure in place within the right setting, every action you take will lead to big financial returns for you.’’

He explained various ways the participants could use to reach out to a large audience of people in the African communities.

It was not all lectures. Participants were divided into groups, named after foremost figures of liberty. They engaged in group discussions, and business plan presentations. Frederic Bastiat’s group emerged winner with the business plan production of candles with repellants. Each group member was given the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom, and also certificates of participation with other delegates.

They were also taken round the city of Kumasi, where the youngsters interacted with the residents and purchased locally-made items.