Youth Advocates Ghana (YAG) in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) organized a consultative workshop to solicit input from young people on a sustainable youth development report in support of the Ghana Voluntary National Review (VNR).
The consultative workshop brought together young people to discuss strategies, opportunities, gaps and linkages in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how youth participation and inclusion can help achieve these goals.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Youth Advocates Ghana and Convener of the Africa Summit on Sustainable Youth Development, Emmanuel Ametepey, emphasized the need for civil society organizations (CSOs), development partners and government agencies to involve youth in the decision-making process. because they are active and vibrant residents whose ideas can accelerate sustainable development.
“The VNR is important because it allows us to track our progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Youth Advocates Ghana has always been part of this process and is committed to mobilizing the youth to take action based on the principle of leaving no one behind,” he added.
Mr. Ametepey further called on the youths to use the opportunities available to them for personal growth and contribute meaningfully to the achievement of development in their communities.
In her remarks, the Planning Analyst at NDPC, Ms. Patience Ampomah, encouraged the youth to engage in initiatives that will lead to the achievement of the SDGs. She added that the youth report will help identify and address issues affecting youth and inform targeting strategies for implementation.
“Youth make up the majority of our population and are most affected by our development challenges. That's why we have to work with them to support sustainable development.
"The VNR process provides an opportunity for sharing experiences and mutual learning between countries and has a unique story to tell with the first Youth SDG Report," she added.
For his part, Ishmael Kwasi Selassie, Program Analyst of the United Nations Population Fund, emphasized the need for young people to participate in activities and initiatives aimed at solving development problems.
"The participation of young people is essential to achieving the goals of sustainable development. We must continue to help them take leadership roles and make their voices heard in national development processes. We at UNFPA will continue to support young people to become better versions of themselves and help their communities grow,” said Selassie.
The Voluntary National Review (VNR) is a process through which countries assess and present national progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda, including the achievement of its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the commitment to leave no one behind.
This year's High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on the theme "Enhanced recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" will review SDGs 4, 5, 14, 15 and 17 in detail.
Ghana presented at the VNR in 2019 and is presenting for the second time in 2022. Key to this year's VNR on Ghana is the addition of the Sustainable Youth Development Report, which will highlight innovative interventions related to the SDGs and review the state of youth on the "outgoing". no one stands behind the principle.
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