Maiden Festival Of SDGs Ends In Cape Coast

Cape Coast, Sept. 22, GNA - The maiden edition of the festival of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been held in Cape Coast with a call on the youth to rededicate themselves to achieving the SDG goal targets before 2030.

Addressing a crowd of enthusiastic youth from all walks of life on Thursday, Mr Kwamina Duncan, the Central Regional Minister, said it was paramount that the youth, who formed a huge segment of Ghana's population, were exposed to the bond and believes of the SDGs to accelerate its achievement.

"It is important that we expose our young people to policy issues of this nature in order for them to be adequately informed. That way, they will be empowered with a clear sense of direction to contribute their quota to improving the lot of humanity," he said.

The Regional Minister asked the youth to pursue peace in order to sustain their future, by instilling the traits of peace building and environmental sustainability in their homes, schools and communities.

The festival, which had the theme: "SDGs: The journey towards a sustainable world" provided the unique platform for the youth to acquaint themselves on the SDGs to enable them contribute to sets targets.

The celebration, which coincided with the International Day of peace 2017, was put together by the International Fellowship Programme Alumini Association of Ghana (IFPAAG) and funded by Voltic, Perkins International-Africa and PrimeStar.

In the year 2001, the UN General Assembly by a unanimous vote, adopted a resolution, which established September 21 as an annual day of non-violence and cease fire (International Day of Peace).

Mr Charles Aheto Tsegah, Former Acting Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), took the youth through all the 17 SDSs with particular emphasis in goal 4, which focuses on "ensuring inclusive and equitable education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all."

He encouraged them not to give reasons for their failures in life but defy the odds of their physical disabilities, emotional traumas and pay keen attention to their education to achieve their aims.

Education is a fundamental human right under the universal declaration of human rights in the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana, he noted, adding that, they should not be denied of any Ghanaian child.

The Former Acting DG, described the provision of quality education as the 'game changer' for personal and social development, a tool for peace, promotes understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and also further the activities of UN for world Peace.

GNA
By Isaac Arkoh, GNA