The United Nations Envoy on Youth was today on a one (1) day visit to Ghana. The visit was an important opportunity to leverage support for vulnerable young girls and women by engaging partners to learn about the interventions they are running whilst also meeting with key beneficiaries to get an understanding of the issues and challenges they face. Encouraged by the call from His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana at the recently concluded Global Partnership on Education Conference in Dakar for African countries to fully finance the education of its people, the visit sought to further elevate the discussion and push for greater empowerment of young girls.

An important point of call for the Youth Envoy during the one day mission was to meet with the Minister of Youth and Sports in Ghana, Hon. Hon. Isaac Asiamah for a bilateral exchange on the areas of convergence and opportunities to advance the youth development agenda both in Ghana and at the level of the United Nations.

The two officials were delighted to meet again after having shared at audience at the recently concluded ECOSOC Youth Forum. Hon. Isaac Asiamah welcomed the Youth Envoy to Ghana and noted that the visit was a “demonstration of her commitment to young people in Africa”. He emphasized that the African continent faces challenges that include poverty and unemployment, where young people are the most disproportionately impacted. He expressed confidence in the Envoy’s ability to elevate these issues to prominence in the region and global levels. “I am particularly proud of your appointment” the Hon. Minister added, noting that the Youth Envoy is young, articulate and shares strong ideas on fostering youth development.

The Youth Envoy thanked the Minister of Youth for receiving her delegation at the Ministry, conveyed her support for the work Ghana was doing to unlock the youth potential. The Envoy further added that “…it is great to be in Ghana to learn about the work on the ground and challenges young people face”. Recalling the call by His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to other African Heads of States to fully finance their people’s education, the Youth Envoy conveyed her full support to the Government of Ghana in providing free senior high school education for all young people in the country. This demonstrates a lasting commitment to ensure young people are given the skills, tools and resources to make a positive contribution to transform their society.

In concluding their meeting, the Minister and Youth Envoy conducted a press conference. The Minister introduced his guest and noted that her presence should serve to reinvigorate the youth development space in the country. He called on young people in Ghana to have confidence in the Government’s efforts to provide the spaces, resources and opportunities for their engagement, announcing the construction of 10 multi-purpose youth centres across the country to provide spaces for collaboration and spur innovation.

The Youth Envoy’s mission to Africa has seen her visit Senegal and Gambia, and will be taking her to Nigeria and completing in South Africa.