Mr. Massimo Mina, Head of Cooperation at the European Union (EU) Delegation to Ghana, has stressed the significance of youth engagement in global policy processes.
He highlighted the crucial role that young people play in addressing various societal challenges, including climate change, human rights, sustainable resource use, and conflict resolution.
Speaking at a youth engagement forum held in Kumasi, Mr. Mina expressed the EU's commitment to involving young people as key partners in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The forum, organized under the auspices of the EU's Youth Engagement Initiative in collaboration with the Youth Leadership Parliament, gathered more than 40 youth organizations from six regions.
The primary objective of the program, funded by the EU, was to promote youth participation in decision-making and democratic processes, leveraging their fresh perspectives to address longstanding challenges. It also aimed to foster dialogue among young people and encourage forward-looking policies.
Through this initiative, young people were encouraged to make their voices heard, advocate for new policies, support improved planning, and demand accountability within their communities and from their leaders.
Mr. Mina emphasized that the EU wanted to ensure it properly listened to and responded to the needs of young Ghanaians as it developed new programs for the coming years.
He highlighted that the engagement would inform the EU's Youth Strategy and Action Plan in Ghana until 2027, particularly in areas related to agribusiness, sustainable cities, energy, migration, employment, skills, education, private sector development, rule of law, and corruption.
He added, “As youth, there is a cross-cutting priority spanning all their projects, which means that the youth should benefit or be involved in each of their interventions. We all share the same belief in a democratic, prosperous, and peaceful future for Ghana.”
Mr. Samuel Gariba, a youth advocate and participant at the engagement, commended the EU Delegation for the initiative, highlighting its plans for young people in Ghana and how it aimed to integrate young people into its programs.
Reporting by Florence Afriyie Mensah: Editing by Adewale Adejoke
