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
