YAG engages young people to contribute towards achieving SDGs

Youth Advocates Ghana (YAG) in partnership with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) have organised a Consultative Workshop to solicit the contribution of young people towards the Youth SDG’s Report in support of Ghana’s Voluntary National Review (VNR).

The consultative workshop brought young people together to discuss the strategies, opportunities, gaps and linkages in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how youth participation and inclusion can help achieve the goals.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Youth Advocates Ghana and the Convener of the African Youth SDG’s Summit, Emmanuel Ametepey stressed the need for Civil Society organizations (CSOs), Development partners and Government agencies to include the youth in the decision-making process since they are the active and vibrant population whose ideas can accelerate sustainable development.

“The VNR is important as it allows us to track our progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Youth Advocates Ghana has always been part of the 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 urged the youth to leverage opportunities at their disposal for personal growth and contribute meaningfully to achieving development in their communities.

In her remarks, the Planning Analyst at NDPC, Ms Patience Ampomah, encouraged young people to participate in initiatives that will lead to the attainment of the SDGs. She added that the youth report will help identify and address issues affecting the youth and inform targeting of strategies for implementation.

“The youth constitute the majority of our population and are the most impacted by our development challenges. Therefore, we must work with them to promote sustainable development.

"The VNR process provides an opportunity for sharing experiences and peer learning among countries and has a unique story to tell with the maiden Youth SDG Report,” she added.

On his part, a Program Analyst at United Nations Population Fund, Ishmael Kwasi Selassie, highlighted the need for young people to participate in activities and initiatives that are aimed at addressing development challenges.

“The participation of young people is critical to achieving the SDGs. We must continue to help them take up leadership roles and have their voices heard in national development processes. We at UNFPA will continue to support young people to become a better version of themselves and to help their communities grow,” stated Selassie.

The Voluntary National Review (VNR), is a process through which countries assess and present national progress made in implementing the 2030 Agenda, including achieving its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the pledge to leave no one behind.

This year’s High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) themed “Building back better from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” will review in-depth the SDGs 4, 5, 14, 15 and 17.

Ghana presented on the VNR in 2019 and is presenting for the second time in 2022. Key to this year’s VNR on Ghana is the complementary addition of the Youth SDGs Report, which will highlight innovative SDG-related interventions and review youth status on the ‘leaving no one behind' principle.