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A More Defined Role Should Be Given To The Youth In Ghana’s Climate Change Policy

....UN Secretary General, Ban-Ki Moon Calls Youth “Agents Of Change Against Climate Change”
Feature Article A More Defined Role Should Be Given To The Youth In Ghanas Climate Change Policy
JUL 27, 2015 LISTEN

Ghana has formulated a policy on climate change called the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) and other than just referring to the youth as a vulnerable group, the policy fails to appreciate that young people possess energies and talents if well discovered, developed and deployed can significantly contribute to climate solutions.

The policy is mute on possible employment opportunities for young people through areas such as green economy, proper waste management, and clean/renewable energy. The policy in identifying relevant institutions failed to include the National Youth Authority (NYA). The role of young people cannot be underestimated at least considering the fact that they constitute majority of the population; more so when decisions taken have direct bearing on their livelihood or existence. The contributions of young people in the fight against climate change globally are clearly evident; YUNGO’s role in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) discussions is a perfect case.

Unlike Ghana, young people in Nepal (constituting about 65% of the population) have been trained as actors and playwrights with the goal of reaching poorly educated rural residents ill-equipped to tackle local problems and development issues through drama. As a result, street drama as a social empowerment and awareness tool on climate change has been adopted.

Additionally, Emergency and Maintenance Funds; Search and Rescue (S&R) among other initiatives have been established all in the quest to provide young people opportunity to be part of solution-providers. Replicating these concepts should be possible given the number of active youth-led environmental groups in Ghana. Countries such as Australia, Philippines, South Korea and others in Latin America have in place Climate Vulnerability Mapping methods. It is still unknown if Ghana has such systems in place to even assist stakeholders championing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) issues.

According to the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who stressed on the importance of youth participation against climate change, calling them “agents of change” said the youth have a key role when it comes to climate policies. Ghana has failed to include the youth in combating climate change in its policy, meanwhile, in section 5.2.1 of the National Youth Policy of Ghana which states that “The views of the youth and their participation in national development must be sought. The government must consciously and consistently involve young people in decision-making”. This provision is mandated by Article 11 of the African Youth Charter. Unfortunately, Ghana has failed to adhere to these very commitments as young people have been alienated throughout the process – which is worrying!

According to paragraph 3 of the Synthesis Report of the Secretary-General on the Post-2015 Agenda, “Young people will be the torch bearers of the next sustainable development agenda through 2030…” Therefore the inclusion of young people by the government of Ghana in the national development agenda including climate change processes should not be regarded as an option or choice.

Taking action to combat climate change and its impacts can best be achieved in Ghana given the case of Nepal where even with limited resources young people’s contribution produced significant results. That sense of urgency must be felt especially when some of the consequences of climate change can never be reversed such as loss of human lives. Instead of branding young people merely as a vulnerable group, they also possess the energy, abilities and talents that can be discovered, developed and deployed appropriately in bringing climate change under control.

The youth should therefore be given a chance to take an active part in the decision making of local, national and global levels. They can actively support initiatives that will lead to the passage of far reaching legislation. A more defined role should be given to the youth to prevent the impact of climate change in the country. Also, it is essential to conduct major studies among youth in the country regarding awareness about climate change as well as the role of youth in combating climate change.

I therefore urge the government of Ghana to include the youth in the national climate change policy because the youth are talented, vibrant, and change makers to climate change. Also, the government should provide deliberate decision making spaces for young people to contribute to the processes of fighting climate change and also to consider how employment opportunities can be generated for young people through initiatives such as green economy and sanitation management.

Farida Abubakari, Ghana
Global Ambassador for Youth and Enlightenment and Welfare (YEW) Ghana

Agricultural Economist, Soil Scientist and a Climate Tracker for the Adopt a Negotiator program.

E-mail: [email protected]

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