At the 31st AFS Youth Assembly in Geneva, John Ofori, Youth Delegate from Ghana, received this year’s Outstanding Youth Delegate Award. He was selected through a competitive process among hundreds of delegates. Moreover, John was recognized for his leadership, commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, and practical work applying artificial intelligence to real-world challenges in Africa.
John is a pan-African AI strategist. Specifically, he is the Founder & CEO of Rethink Africa Intelligence (RAI Labs). This Accra-based organization focuses on AI literacy, youth empowerment, and healthcare tech. He graduated from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Subsequently, he contributed directly to Ghana’s official National AI Strategy and AI Practitioner Guide.
John Ofori Youth Delegate Impact at RAI Labs
Through RAI Labs, John developed an AI-powered Ambulance Intelligence System to help emergency vehicles reach patients faster in Ghana. In addition, he leads hands-on AI literacy workshops for young people aged 8 to 18 in Greater Accra. Recently, he launched the RAI Conference 2026. For this event, he partnered with Google and the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT. His broader strategic partnerships include the Mastercard Foundation, MTN Ghana, MEST Africa, and Academic City University.
“We teach young people how to use artificial intelligence as a simple, practical tool to solve the problems right in front of them. Teaching a child and saving a life… to me, they are on the same mission: building a world where no one is left behind because of where they were born.” — John Ofori
Global Recognition at WHO Headquarters
For John, receiving the award and delivering the closing address at WHO headquarters in Geneva showed how local community initiatives connect to global conversations.
“This recognition feels like an invitation and a validation that the work we’re doing at Rethink Africa Intelligence resonates globally. It tells me that young people everywhere are grappling with the same challenge: how do we shape technology for ourselves, rather than waiting for solutions designed elsewhere?” — John Ofori
Connecting with delegates across continents during the Assembly reinforced that shared focus. “The breakthrough moment for me was realizing how much we have in common across borders,” John noted. “A youth entrepreneur from Ghana had just as much to contribute as someone from Europe or Asia. That equity, that mutual recognition is rare and precious.”
A Call to Action for Young Changemakers
In his speech, John urged young changemakers to take action in their communities without waiting for outside permission.
“Don’t wait for a seat at the table, build your own if you must […] Remember that your perspective as a young person from your community is not a limitation, it is your superpower.” — John Ofori