The Programme Officer of ActionAid Ghana for the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regions has noted the potential of the green economy to attract the youth and equip them with valuable green skills.

Kwame Afram Denkyira highlighted the importance of a national policy to prepare and promote the development of these skills for green jobs.

Citing the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) projection that the green transition will create 8.4 million green jobs for young people by 2030, he urged Ghanaian youth to seize this opportunity.

He explained that these green jobs would contribute to preserving or restoring the environment, either by supporting environmentally friendly processes or producing green products and services.

Mr. Afram Denkyira made these remarks during the 2024 International Youth Day celebration held in Sunyani.

The event was organised by ActionAid Ghana in collaboration with various youth organizations, including Activista, the Young Urban Women’s Movement (YUWM), the Adolescent Parliament, and the National Youth Authority.

The forum, themed “Accelerating Green Economy and Adolescent Well-being: Promoting Youth Digital Pathway for Sustainable Development,” brought together youth leaders and stakeholders from the Bono and Ahafo regions to discuss the critical role of young people in driving sustainable development.

The event underscored the importance of youth involvement in the green economy and highlighted the need for better access to health and well-being resources.

“Young people must be equipped with the necessary green skills to navigate this changing environment and leverage the opportunities it presents,” Mr Afram Denkyira stated.

However, he noted that despite the growing recognition of the green economy, the required green skills among the youth are not readily available.

He warned that if this issue is not addressed with a cohesive national policy, it could exacerbate the already dire youth unemployment situation in the future.

“One reason is the lack of national-level coherence between environmental policies and those related to the required skills,” he stressed.

“To appropriately drive both youth employment and sustainable development, relevant policies targeting greener economies need to be well aligned and mutually reinforcing.”

In her address, Ms. Juliet Appiah, Chairperson of YUWM, addressed the pressing issues of adolescent health and well-being.

She pointed out the lack of adequate information available to young people concerning diet, physical activity, substance use, and sexual health.

“Poor health during adolescence has long-term consequences, including an increased risk of chronic diseases, mental health disorders, and reduced educational and economic opportunities,” Ms. Appiah noted.

She called for youth empowerment, stating, “Our voices matter, our actions can inspire, and our dreams can change the world if we carry the energy forward, united in our commitment to making a positive impact in our communities and the world.”

Bono Regional Minister Justina Owusu-Bananhene also spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of youth participation in the upcoming December 7 elections.

She urged the youth to exercise their voting rights responsibly and resist any attempts by politicians to exploit them for negative activities.

“The future of Ghana relies on you,” she declared.

“Please don’t allow yourselves to be misused. Your vote is your power, and it should be used to shape a better future for all,” she urged.