Ghana continues to shine on the global stage as four brilliant young Ghanaians have been named in Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 Class of 2025.
These trailblazers represent a new generation of leaders making a significant impact in business, technology, arts, and social entrepreneurship.
Their recognition by Forbes Africa highlights Ghana’s growing influence in shaping the future of Africa.
1. Gyakie – Afrobeat Sensation & Global Music Icon (Age 25)
Born in Kumasi, Jackline Acheampong, professionally known as Gyakie, is a 25-year-old Afro-pop and highlife artist celebrated for her soulful vocals and lyrical brilliance.
Her breakout single “Forever” topped African and UK music charts, cementing her status as a rising global star. In 2025, she earned a coveted spot on the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list (Creatives category).
Her upcoming album, “After Midnight” (August 2025), was recorded in her father’s studio in Kumasi and promises deep storytelling rooted in Ghanaian heritage. Gyakie’s unique fusion of Afrobeats, Akan proverbs, and silky rhythms continues to inspire fans worldwide.
Key achievements:
2024 BET Awards Viewer’s Choice nomination
2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards nominations, including Artiste of the Year
2024 Ghana Music Awards UK win
Electrifying Afrochella 2024 performance, drawing 20,000 fans
Global collaborations:
- Omah Lay – “Forever (Remix)” | Won International Collaboration of the Year (2022)
- Davido – “Flames” | Fuses Afrobeat with Ghanaian highlife
- JBEE (UK) – “Scar” | Blends Afro-fusion with UK rap
- AKA & Musa Keys (SA) – “Paradise” | A Ghana–South Africa musical synergy
- KJ Spio – “Days Pass By” (2024) | Soulful Afro-fusion single
With powerful international collaborations and chart-topping hits, Gyakie is Ghana’s musical ambassador, taking Afrobeats and Ghanaian music to the world.
2. Free The Youth – Ghana’s streetwear revolutionaries
Accra-based creative collective Free The Youth is redefining African street fashion. Fusing traditional kente and Adinkra symbols with bold streetwear aesthetics, the group earned a spot on the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 2025 list under Fashion & Philanthropy.
Their 2024 Africa Fashion Week collection featured bomber jackets with hand-stitched Gye Nyame symbols and sparked a major deal with a global sportswear giant in 2025. Free The Youth’s distinctive look—born from Accra’s vibrant markets—celebrates Ghanaian fashion with unapologetic swagger.
Key highlights:
- London Fashion Week 2025 pop-up, attracting global fashion influencers
- 2024 Ghana Youth Impact Award for mentoring 50 young designers through Osu art workshops
- Known for merging urban fashion with Ghanaian cultural identity
Free The Youth is making waves as Africa’s leading fashion collective, showcasing Ghana’s creative power on global runways.
3. Dr. Khadija Owusu – Innovating Healthcare in Rural Ghana (Age 28)
Hailing from Tamale, Dr. Khadija Owusu is a 28-year-old health tech innovator transforming rural healthcare in Ghana. Her mobile health startup, HealthLink Ghana, uses AI-driven diagnostics to detect malaria early, serving over 10,000 patients in underserved communities.
A 2025 Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 honoree in Healthcare Technology, Dr. Owusu’s diagnostic app includes Twi-language support to ensure accessibility across remote clinics. Inspired by personal tragedy, her innovation is saving lives across Northern Ghana.
Notable achievements:
- 2024 African Health Innovation Award
- 2025 TEDxAccra talk promoting women in STEM
- Healthcare app reducing diagnostic delays in rural regions
Dr. Owusu is leading Ghana’s digital health transformation, making her a key figure in African medical innovation.
4. Darlington Ahiale Akogo – Ghana’s AI Trailblazer (Age 29)
At just 29, Darlington Ahiale Akogo is a tech visionary and founder of Mino Health AI Labs, recognized on the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 2025 list in Technology. His AI platform diagnoses tuberculosis (TB) with 95% accuracy, used in over 30 hospitals in Ghana, drastically reducing patient wait times.
Developed from his dorm room at Legon, Akogo’s AI innovation leverages local datasets to tackle Ghana’s pressing healthcare challenges. His 2024 AI Summit talk in London drew interest from global tech giants, including Google.
Career milestones:
- 2024 African Innovate Award
- 2025 Ghana Tech Excellence Award
- Featured in Forbes Africa for revolutionizing AI in Ghanaian healthcare
Akogo is on the front lines of Africa’s artificial intelligence revolution, putting Ghana on the global tech map.
