As today marks International Youth Day,it is impirtant to remind ourselves that the impact of the youth across the world is such a significant tool in global reforms, setting proper systems, making rightful decisions, and putting things right. The conversation about Youth participation in global development and leadership cannot cease. The impact of Youth is colossal and cannot be underrated. It is therefore in good direction to set aside an important day such as the International Youth Day to celebrate, appreciate and embrace the diverse works, actions and impacts of Youth in our world. In every year 12th August is set aside to observe and commemorate International Youth Day. The said date is mostly observed across the globe in series and diverse interconnected programs, activities, events among others to celebrate the day. This year 2021 happens to feature a special theme for the celebration of the world Youth Day. The theme captioned as “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health” is a kind with timely appearance even as the entire world is at war with the COVID-19 pandemic
The success of the world will not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people. There is a high need for inclusive support mechanisms that will ensure the Youth continue to amplify their efforts individually or collectively to restore the planet, protect lives while making deliberate and conscious efforts integrating biodiversity in the transformation of food systems. With the increasing number of the world’s population, it is prudent that recognized and relevant stakeholders take deliberate numerous decisions in producing high volumes of healthy food with sustainable approaches which may not pose danger to the planet and human lives. Population health is very important in addressing food system challenges particularly nutrition-related diseases such as diabetes, obesity among others.
The timely theme “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health” must make available to the Youth through education, innovation and entrepreneurship solutions provide platforms for young people to continue channeling their efforts towards healthy lives and safe planet through food systems. Young people must utilize this globally recognized and celebrated day to discover their potentials, skills, talents, capabilities, competence among other positive things in making the world a better place for all.
The development of every society is dependent on it’s Human resource, a resource that’s highly capable and zealous to place the progress of society on it shoulders. It’s a known fact all over the world that the best human resource that contributes immensely to development of society are the Youth. This is the most active and productive age of every Person’s life. The world can never be a world without the true recognition and celebration of it’s main factor and driving force which is the Youth. As we choose to celebrate the Youth we choose to celebrate the world, we choose to equally remind ourselves that our society is worth Sacrificing for, it’s worth giving all our best for a flourishing society, for a society that fails to celebrate it heroes fails to progress. That’s why it’s important to celebrate the heroes of the world. Which is the Youth.
The United Nations Youth Association Ghana celebrates this day also in recognition of the importance of the UN Security Council Resolution 2250, that encouragesYoung people to be empowered andencouraged by addressing their situations and then take action in order to improve their access to resources and transform their consciousness through their beliefs, values, and attitudes.
The youth of today holds the future, The future can only be bright if the youth is the focus of every leader. The youth must be put at the right places to contribute towards the decision-making process across all levels. The Youth must be discipline. Youth must understand and obey values, must not be in rush to make money through dubious means
This will not be realized without extensive participation of young people. Every nation’s greatest assets are its youth, no doubt about that. It is therefore worth celebrating the contributions and honors the efforts of youths in Ghana and the World at large. This I believed will help appreciate the impact of some youth’s initiatives on our economy and as well encourage others to do same.
UNYA-GH for instance has some of its youth MPs and Ministers impacting their constituencies positively in diverse ways. This means more of these initiatives could be done when we are financially encouraged and rewarded. It is on this background that, the United Nations Youth Association Ghana in collaboration with its mother body “UNA Ghana, acknowledges that there is a need for inclusive support mechanisms to ensure that youth continue to participate and volunteer individually or collectively to restore individual nations as and when the need arises.
Challenges
Even though majority of the youth faces several challenges before reaching their path. Through perseverance, discipline, and the grace of God, many more of these youths are able to endure moments of difficulties mostly in the area of education. Many adults today can boldly testify to the real challenges youth faced when growing up especial in developing countries like Ghana where opportunities are limited. Yet most youth through countless frustrations canrise up on their feet and still try until they succeed. It is therefore a worthy cause for all adults to join in this celebration.
Empowerment is a necessary determinant of young people’s participation in national, regional and district or local level decision-making processes. For inclusiveness in any social intervention program, the policy process should be all-embracing sharing of knowledge and active stakeholders’ participation which includes the youth. For a better future of our beloved Country – Ghana, involving youths in national decision making should not be left out.
Hence youth should be given the chance and opportunity to be at the forefront of global change and innovation. When we are empowered, we can be the key agents for development and peace. If, however, we are left on society margins, all of us will be impoverish. It is therefore our hope that governments of Ghana will ensure that all young people have every opportunity to participate fully in the lives of their societies by giving a minimal functional role to play as well assist them financially as and when the need arises. Joshua Finance
The Youth symbolizes high energy, positivity, and spirit to make things happen. Innovation thus should be one thing that is synonymous with the youth.
The future of a country is in the hands of the youth. On International Youth Day, let us harness our energies and talents as the youth of our country with unmatched innovation to drive our sustainable development as humans and to make the world a better place. We all are hopeful that with our efforts, we will lead our nation to new heights.
The future of a country is in the hands of the youth. On International Youth Day, let us harness our energies and talents as the youth of our country with unmatched innovation to drive our sustainable development as humans and to make the world a better place. We all are hopeful that with our efforts, we will lead our nation to new heights.
The leadership of UNYA Ghana advises the youth on this special day not to use social media platforms to instigate insult and fight leadership of this country.
In a society with bunch of ignorance people, only few wise men succeed. We should thrive to be among the few wise men and carry the talkative along and those who have wasted their time for unnecessarily. Young people must stay away from the negative use of social media, insulting of leaders and encouraging peer pressure.
The youth should note that being in a leadership position is not child’s play. Most Presidents have succeeded investing and building their nation to benefit the youth because some of their positive contributions and proper communication skills.
The youth rather should know their wealth and understand that the time has come for them to be part of decision-making process across all levels, but can be achieved only through good behavior and setting good examples.
Young people must take advantage of every opportunity and aspire to be great, criticize positively and constructively and their voices will be heard.
By Lilian Sally Addo
The writer is the Country Head of the United Nations Youth Association Ghana