Young and Loud Festival 2024: Skills, Opportunities, and Jobs for Young People

Ho Volta Region, Ghana — The Young and Loud Festival is set to return for its second year, bringing together young creatives to amplify their voices and talents through the power of art, scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Mawuli School, starting at 9 AM, this festival is an initiative under the Young and Safe Project of Healthy Cities for Adolescents program. 

This year’s festival is set to be grander and more impactful than ever, offering a vibrant platform for young people in Ho to channel their art and creativity into advocating for their most pressing concerns: skills, opportunities, and jobs. In addition to these meaningful goals, the event will introduce new fun elements, encouraging participants to play, socialize, and contribute positively to the city’s overall vibe.   

Reflecting on Young and Loud Festival 2023 

The inaugural Young and Loud Festival in 2023 successfully brought together over 1,500 young people in Ho, addressing critical issues like mental health and youth empowerment through the theme “Using Creativity as a Tool for Social Change.” Participants were introduced to emerging technologies in the creative sector in the creative future boot camp. 

The Talent Competition segment recognized four winners in categories such as poetry, dance, music, and visual arts, awarding cash prizes and accolades. The festival came alive with guest performances from Kenny Ice, Tuf B, Keli Yong, and afroKhelly, who delighted the crowd and significantly enriched the festival experience. Many participants reported experiencing personal growth and newfound confidence in their artistic skills. Read more. 

Festival Overview 

The Young and Loud Festival 2024 is set to bring an unparalleled artistic experience to Ho, designed to spotlight the artistic talents of young people. This year’s festival features three engaging segments:  

• Street Art Festival: A vibrant showcase including skateboarding, e-games, a fashion show, live painting, and art exhibitions, offering a lively platform for artistic expression and creativity.  
• Creative Futures Workshop: An insightful exploration of how technology is transforming the creative sector, providing young individuals with valuable knowledge and opportunities to engage with this evolving field.  
• Talent Competition: A thrilling showcase of talent across dance, music, poetry, choral performances, and visual arts, centered around the 2024 theme of advocating for increased skill development, opportunities, and job creation for youth. 

Objectives in Focus   

At its core, the Young and Loud festival stands on five pivotal pillars:   

Creative Advocacy: Empowering the Youth as Agents of Change. 

The festival serves as a platform for the youth to channel their creative energies towards advocating for systemic changes impacting their well-being. By harnessing their artistic abilities, participants will be encouraged to address and influence societal issues affecting Ho’s youth, igniting conversations, and fostering solutions.  

Talent Recognition and Encouragement  

Through the Talent Competition, the festival aims to recognize, celebrate, and encourage outstanding achievements in various creative disciplines. By honouring excellence, Young and Loud Festival seeks to inspire continuous growth and dedication among young artists and creatives.  

Networking Opportunities  

Young creatives will have exclusive access to established professionals in the creative industries. This will help them find mentors, collaborate with others, and grow their careers. The networking opportunities will connect new talents with industry leaders, creating pathways for success.  

Platform for Talent Showcase  

Emerging artists will showcase their talents to a diverse and global audience, providing a launchpad for their creative expressions. From street art exhibitions to live performances, the festival serves as a canvas for innovation, amplifying their voices and visions.  

Career Exploration and Future Shaping  

The festival seeks to introduce young minds to a plethora of career opportunities within the creative sector, emphasizing the role of technology in shaping the future of these industries. It is an opportunity for attendees to explore the intersections between creativity and technological advancements. 

Join Us! 

We invite all young creatives and supporters of the arts to participate in the Young and Loud Festival. Registration is now open, and we encourage interested individuals and groups to sign up early to secure their spot. Register Here  

Media and Collaboration Opportunities  

Media houses, both international and local, are invited to help us celebrate this important event in Ho’s history. Press passes, interviews, and further information can be obtained by contacting David Ikechi (comms@nodeeight.org | 0552664215) 

About the Young and Safe Project:    

The Young and Safe project is a three-year initiative that aims to address key issues such as youth participation in city governance, sexual and reproductive health, mental health support, creative self-expression, and digital employment opportunities. The project is a collaboration between Node Eight, Ho Municipal Assembly, LoveAid Foundation, and Ghana Education Service and is supported by Fondation Botnar through the Healthy Cities for Adolescents Program (HCA-||), managed by Ecorys UK. The initiative aims to develop an inclusive and supportive community for young people in Ho, Volta region, Ghana by leveraging the capabilities of each partner. The Young and Safe project will also increase young people’s employability by helping them build their digital innovation and entrepreneurship competencies. Read more.   

For all enquires, reach out to us via email at info@nodeeight.org