News
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
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU2
Member of Parliament for the people of Anlo, Richard Kwami Sefe, has cautioned government against relying on relief items for victims of tidal waves in the Volta Region.
According to him, residents are tired of temporary solutions, and no more interested in handouts but adequate measures to end the perennial problem.
Speaking to the media today, April 20, he called for swift implementation of long-term interventions to address the crisis.
Richard Sefe, raised concerns over delays in implementing the West Africa Coastal Areas Project to address tidal wave devastation in the Volta Region Ghana.
The Member of Parliament noted that despite a $150 million World Bank loan approved in 2023, much of the funds have gone into workshops instead of the main project, urging government to act urgently.
Richard Kwami Sefe, warned that over 100 communities in the Volta Region Ghana risk being wiped out if urgent action is not taken.
He cited recent tidal waves that breached the sandbar between the sea and the Volta River, urging government to prioritise residents’ safety and prevent a looming disaster.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Agyeman-Rawlings family on Friday April 17, 2026, visited former Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) member, General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah and his family to console him over the loss of his wife, Margaret Nunoo-Mensah, who passed away in February.
Led by Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the delegation which included Ms. Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings and Amina Agyeman-Rawlings, in consoling the Nunoo-Mensah family said the visit was to honour the relationship that was built “before us” between the two families.
“We are here because we understand the true value of friendship and we do express our sincere condolences to the family. Relationships matter; friendship matter,” Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings said.
General Nunoo-Mensah, a former Chief of Defence Staff during the PNDC and later National Security Advisor under President John Evans Atta Mills, said it was comforting that the Agyeman-Rawlings family had visited at a time when they were also enduring the pain of losing their mother.
He recalled his special relationship with President Jerry John Rawlings and regaled the meeting with memorable times spent with the late former President.
“I am very grateful,” General Nunoo Mensah stated.
General Nunoo-Mensah was joined at the meeting by his children, Ben Nunoo-Mensah, Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, Fred Nunoo-Mensah and Amanda Nunoo-Mensah.
General Nunoo-Mensah was appointed Chief of Defence Staff by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) in 1979.
He was a member of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) which took power in 1981. In 2009 he was appointed the National Security Advisor by President Atta Mills.
General Nunoo-Mensah and Margaret Nunoo-Mensah were married on August 10, 1968.
