Participants in a group photo after the launch of the summit
The West Africa Network for Peace building (WANEP) has launched the 2024 Youth Voices For Change Summit, urging the government and stakeholders to invest in the youth.
Themed, “Youth Digital Innovation for Inclusivity, Regional Growth and Stability”, the speakers at the event said empowering the youth will foster entrepreneurship, research and technology development.
The summit is in partnership with ECOWAS, DANIDA, UNOWAS and USAID.
Director, ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre and Acting ECOWAS Resident Representative in Burkina Faso, Francis Chuks Njoaguani disclosed that, the youth’s ability to generate fresh ideas has led to the continues economic growth of West Africa which comes with a unique opportunity for regional development.
He stressed that the population growth of the youth according to data record is about 64% of the region’s population under 24 years of age showing great progress through youth development.
“Reports have it that, young people in Africa are leading start-ups in key economic areas like; agriculture, information technology and stability, attracting a record funding of more than $2 billion in the year 2021,” he said.
He mentioned that as a community, their responsibility in helping the youth achieve this digital idea is to invest in quality education and vocational training, involve them in policy discussions and decision making process, create platforms for youth representatives in government, empower them in using money wisely and promote entrepreneurship by mentoring and supporting them.
He also highlighted some challenges that slow down their achievement such as inadequate healthcare facilities, insufficient funding, and poorly constructed schools and thus pleaded with all stakeholders to support them in providing good basic infrastructures to empower the youth.
ECOWAS resident representative for Ghana, Baba Gana Wakil said a valuable platform must be provided to enhance dialogue, foster innovation, amplify youth voices, facilitate action and shape the global impact of the youth.
“Let us remember that the future of West Africa lies in the hands of its youth, so by empowering them, we are not only investing in their future but also the future of our region, so let us work together to ensure that the voices of our young people are heard, their innovations supported and their potentials fully realized,” he noted.
Deputy Executive Director, WANEP, Levinia Addae-Mensah also urged the government and stakeholders to work together to empower the youth since they are the frontlines of the country.
By Janet Odei Amponsah