Some 270 students from 24 schools across the Greater Accra Region participated in this year’s Lifelink Junior High Schools Model United Nations Conference, marking the 79th Anniversary of the United Nations.

The young delegates, representing various UN member states, engaged in debates and discussions on critical global issues, including child labour, exploitation, climate change, and global poverty.

The one-day event at the Accra International Conference Centre was themed “Protecting the Future: Breaking the Cycle of Exploitation and Disparity towards a Sustainable World.”

In attendance were members of the diplomatic community, officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry and representatives from the United Nations System in Ghana.

Speaking at the event, Dr Wilfred Ochan, Resident Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Ghana, condemned the exploitation of children worldwide and encouraged the young participants to be catalysts for positive change.

“Your voices have the power to cause change. Together, let’s champion the rights of the marginalised,” Dr Ochan stated.

He also praised Lifelink Friendship Schools Ghana for providing a platform that helps future leaders deepen their understanding of global issues.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Kwaku Ampratwum Sarpong, emphasised the importance of prioritising equity for future generations, stating that young people symbolise hope.

He highlighted the government’s efforts to combat child labour and exploitation and called for collective action to create meaningful change.

“Use your voices and skills to demand a better future; by coming together, we can amplify our voices,” he urged.

As part of the event, some students will be selected to represent Ghana at next year’s Middle School Model United Nations session at the UN Headquarters in New York.