By Solomon Gumah
Tamale, Nov 08, GNA – AFRI-Youth, a non-government organisation committed to empowering and encouraging youth participation in national development, has held its annual quiz competition for some selected Senior High Schools (SHS) in Tamale.
The event dubbed: “High School Community Impact Challenge on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, brought together second cycle students to enhance their involvement in the attainment of the SDGs through quiz competition.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
The 17 SDGs are integrated—they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Countries have committed to prioritize progress for those who’re furthest behind.
The SDGs are designed to end poverty, hunger, AIDS, and discrimination against women and girls.
The creativity, know-how, technology and financial resources from all of society is necessary to achieve the SDGs in every context.
The quiz competition was organised with support from the Ghana Education Service (GES), Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA-Ghana), Northern Regional Chapter of Activista Ghana, Northern Regional Youth Network, Empowerment Centre for Peace Building, amongst others.
It was on the theme: “Consolidating our Democratic Gains for Peaceful Election 2024″, and participants were drawn from Kalpohin SHS, Islamic Science SHS, Ambariya SHS, Business SHS and Northern School of Business SHS.
Mr. Mohammed Gadafi Mandeya, Executive Director of AFRI-Youth, speaking during the event in Tamale, said it was to encourage young people’s participation towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
He said this year’s competition was tailored towards consolidating the country’s democratic gains because of the impending general election in December and the need to encourage young people to lead the advocacy for peaceful elections before, during and after the polls.
He underscored the need for the youth to play an active role in consolidating the country’s democratic credentials by being peace ambassadors in their schools and communities.
Alhaji Mohammed Awal Alhassan, Executive Director of Norsaac told the students to work hard towards attaining the SDGs by being assertive and innovative in coming out with approaches that could contribute to solving and enhancing the livelihoods of the citizenry.
He also advised them not to participate in any form of electoral malpractice as that could jeopardise their future.
GNA