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African youth blend dialogue, art to push for environmental accountability
The 2025 African Youth Conference on Natural Resources and Environmental Governance (AYC-NREG) opened in Accra with a colourful mix of policy dialogue, poetry, dance and cultural performances.
The three-day gathering was held on the theme “Transforming Africa’s Natural Resource Governance through Youth-Led Solutions.
It brought together over 2,000 young leaders, policymakers, civil society actors and environmental experts.
Beyond speeches and panel discussions, participants used creative expressions, spoken word on climate justice, dance dramatisations of deforestation, and music on clean energy—to capture the urgency of environmental sustainability.
Performers blended culture with advocacy, reminding participants that protecting the environment was both a moral duty and a survival strategy.
Mr Mohammed Saani, Adams Director at the Ministry of Youth and Empowerment, urged the youth to view themselves not only as beneficiaries but as custodians of Africa’s resources.
He stressed that while Africa was blessed with oil, gold, timber and new minerals like lithium, poor governance has stifled development.
Mr Oko Nerquaye Tetteh board member of the Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND), called for stronger youth-led innovations in renewable energy, reforestation and waste recycling.
Panels on responsible mining, climate financing and green entrepreneurship emphasised the need for policies that empower young people to lead change.
They urged governments to establish frameworks that make leaders more accountable to citizens, particularly the youth, in how resources are managed.
By Benedicta Gyimaah Folley
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Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has pledged Ghana’s continued commitment to advancing women’s rights and empowerment.
She made the statement at the UN High-Level Meeting marking 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Dr. Lartey said the Beijing Declaration, adopted in 1995, was a bold vision that recognized the advancement of women and girls as key to peace, justice, and sustainable development.
She added that while much progress had been made, the journey to full equality was still not complete.
She explained that the commemoration was of special importance to Ghana as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of the country’s national machinery for women.
She also highlighted that Ghana made history in January this year when its first female vice president was sworn into office, describing it as a breakthrough that showed the country’s determination to give women’s voices space in governance.
According to the minister, Ghana has strengthened its legal and policy framework by passing the Affirmative Action Act in 2024 and adopting a new gender policy to guide actions from 2025 to 2035.
She added that protection systems had been reinforced through the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service.
She pointed to Ghana’s focus on economic empowerment through programs such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), the School Feeding Program, and the Microfinance and Small Loan Centers (MASLOC).
Plans, she said, were underway to establish a Women’s Development Bank to expand financial inclusion and provide affordable credit, especially for women in underserved areas.
Dr. Lartey stressed that the Beijing Declaration was not just a promise written on paper but a call to action.
She urged the international community to recommit to removing barriers and giving women and girls equal opportunities.
She affirmed Ghana’s commitment to a future where no woman or girl is left behind.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Donkor, has commended the Ashanti Regional Police Commander and his team for their professionalism during an operation that dismantled a notorious armed robbery syndicate.
Speaking at the Police Headquarters in Accra, DCOP Donkor said the success of the operation was due to effective teamwork and tactical execution by the regional command.
She stressed that their dedication and courage played a major role in bringing down the gang, which had been terrorizing banks and rural financial institutions across the country.
She further praised the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, for his leadership and direction, which she said has strengthened the fight against armed robbery and improved public confidence in the police.
DCOP Donkor assured the public that investigations are ongoing and pledged that the police will not relent in pursuing the remaining suspects still at large.
She called on Ghanaians to continue to support the police with information that can help in combating crime.
By: Jacob Aggrey
