Children and Youth in Broadcasting (CYIB), widely known as Curious Minds, has officially launched its 30th anniversary celebration at the British Council in Accra, marking three decades of amplifying the voices of young people and shaping youth development in Ghana.

Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, April 1, Executive Coordinator Kingsley Obeng-Kyereh reflected on the organisation’s humble beginnings and its steady transformation into a powerful youth-led advocacy platform.

According to him, Curious Minds started as a small, 30-minute radio programme created after the International Children’s Day of Broadcasting.

“The group started as a young people’s group 30 years ago with just a small radio programme of 30 minutes…It remained only radio programmes but at a point in time we began a transformation,” he explained.

He noted that the organisation intentionally moved beyond entertainment to focus on real issues affecting young people.

“It shouldn’t just be about rhymes, poems and stories and go home… There are development issues where they can be actively engaged and it involves their rights,” he stated.

Mr. Obeng-Kyereh emphasised that educating young people on their rights has been central to the group’s growth, particularly those outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“When we are talking about children’s rights, it is not about helping children to talk back to adults in a disrespectful manner, but advocating for what should be guaranteed to them,” he clarified.

To achieve this, Curious Minds introduced training sessions to equip members with knowledge and confidence.

Over time, the organisation expanded beyond radio into communities, supporting youth initiatives and addressing key issues such as reproductive health and development. Despite funding challenges, support from organisations like UNICEF has helped sustain its impact.

Reflecting on the broader importance of investing in young people, Mr. Obeng-Kyereh said “Every country that needs to develop should not forget about children… When you invest in children, you are investing in your future.”

For members like Angel Cudjoe, the organisation has been transformative and very impactful, shaping her today.

“During sessions with Curious Minds, I became more intrigued and I wanted to know more… How do you tell me I can come share my views on a radio discussion? That was amazing for me,” she said.

She also credited the organisation’s training sessions for building her confidence and skills.

“One thing that really did it for me was the capacity building sessions… I have built the skill of hosting radio and podcast discussions as well,” she noted.

According to her, she confidently speaks on youth development issues all because of the training she had from Curious Minds.

“Even when I’m put on the spot at events to talk about children and youth development, I immediately know what to say because Curious Minds has trained me over the years,” she added.

As Curious Minds celebrates its 30 years, it continues to stand as a powerful example of youth-led development.

Curious Minds is about young people leading their process towards their own development and seeing how important they are to their communities.