By Solomon Gumah, GNA
Tamale, Oct. 21, GNA – The Center for Opportunities and Rural Development (CORD-Ghana) has held the Ghanaian Youth Summit on Environmental Sustainability and Green Jobs to promote environmental stewardship, green entrepreneurship and youth participation in addressing climate change.
The event, organised with support of Instituto Technologico de Canaries (ITC) WACCID INTERREG-MAC project with co-funding from the European Union, brought together public institutions, civil society organisations, youth networks, community women and the academia to discuss sustainable solutions to environmental challenges and employment creation.
It was on the theme: “Green Skills, Green Jobs, Green Futures: Reimagining Entrepreneurship for a Sustainable Ghana – Youth Driving Circular Economy”.
It was to equip young people with knowledge of the green economy, environmental sustainability, and opportunities for entrepreneurship that could contribute to climate resilience and sustainable development.
The summit featured panel discussions on green entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability, exhibitions showcasing waste recycling initiatives, and the presentation of certificates to exhibitors and volunteers in recognition of their contributions.
Dr Kodimah Siita, Executive Director of CORD-Ghana, speaking during the event in Tamale, said the annual summit was instituted to address environmental challenges.
He said, “The annual programme is to see how to bridge the gap between the North and the South when it comes to climate governance and green businesses because the youth in the northern part are often left behind.”
He said the event provided a platform for experts to engage young people in Ghana on emerging opportunities in the green economy, environmental protection and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Dr Kodimah said CORD-Ghana remained committed to empowering young people, women and children particularly by addressing knowledge and participation gaps among the youth in northern Ghana in responding to climate challenges and exploring green economic opportunities.
He emphasized that equipping young people with relevant knowledge and skills would enable them to participate meaningfully in environmental governance and develop innovative enterprises that supported sustainable development.
Professor Ziblim Abukari Imoro, Dean, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, University for Development Studies said Ghana’s greatest resource was not limited to gold, oil, timber, cocoa or fertile land but also included its young population.
He said the youth represented a significant reservoir of energy, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial potential that could drive national development if provided with the necessary skills, resources and opportunities.
He, however, identified unemployment, skills gaps, limited access to finance, inadequate entrepreneurial opportunities and climate-related risks as major challenges confronting young people and efforts to achieve environmental sustainability.
Professor Imoro called for greater investment in human capital development, innovation and environmental protection to enable the country to translate its natural resource endowment and youthful population into sustainable economic growth.
Mr Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister, whose speech was read on his behalf, commended CORD-Ghana and partners for organising the summit.
He urged participants to look beyond conventional approaches to environmental protection and recognise the green economy as a viable pathway to employment creation, enterprise development, and inclusive economic growth.
Mr Javier Acerete Navarro, a representative of Instituto Technologico de Canaries (ITC) and WACCID INTERREG- MAC project, highlighted issues on environmental conservation and green opportunities for young people.
He made a presentation on the overview of the WACCID project in Ghana, its scope and objectives whilst encouraging young people to get involved in green businesses and work together.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Solomon Gumah
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