News
Youth must be part of decision-making today – Hopeson Adorye tells young diplomats
The Global Board Chairman of the International Youth Network, Hopeson Adorye, has charged young diplomats to become bridge-builders and ambassadors of peace in their communities.
He made the call at the Diplomacy Training Programme Graduation Ceremony in Accra on Friday, October 17, 2026, held under the theme “Empowering Young Diplomats for Peace, Leadership and Inclusive Decision-Making.”
Congratulating the graduates, Mr. Adorye said the ceremony was not just about certificates but about “knowledge acquired, capacity developed, leadership strengthened, and a commitment renewed to serving humanity.”
He told the graduates they were leaving not simply as trained diplomats, but as potential ambassadors of peace, dialogue, tolerance and responsible leadership.
Highlighting UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security, adopted in December 2015, he explained that the resolution recognizes young people as active partners in preventing conflict and building sustainable peace, not just beneficiaries.
The resolution, he noted, rests on five pillars: Participation, Protection, Prevention, Partnerships, and Disengagement and Reintegration.
“Participation means young people must have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their lives. Young people should not be invited to meetings merely to fill seats. The youth must not only be the future of decision-making; they must be part of decision-making today,” he stressed.
Mr.Adorye defined diplomacy as the art of listening, negotiating, building trust and finding common ground, saying the greatest victory is preventing a disagreement from becoming a conflict.
He urged the graduates to reject violence and promote understanding across political, religious and ethnic divides.
“When others promote division, promote dialogue. When others encourage hatred, demonstrate tolerance. When others seek revenge, advocate reconciliation,” he said.
He challenged them to take the principles of Resolution 2250 into schools, universities, workplaces and local assemblies, and to advocate for youth representation.
He reminded the gathering that there can be no sustainable peace if young voices are excluded from decisions that shape their future.
He tasked the graduates with three responsibilities: to be responsible voices for peace, advocates for meaningful youth participation, and agents of practical change in their homes and communities.
“The true measure of this training will not be the certificates you hold; it will be the difference you make,” he added.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has temporarily suspended all date of birth changes on the Ghana Card across the country.
The suspension takes effect from Monday, November 9, 2026, and will remain in force until further notice.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Authority said the decision followed a review of its date of birth update process, which revealed the need for stronger safeguards.
The NIA said it was engaging key institutions, including the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Births and Deaths Registry, to strengthen the guidelines for processing such requests.
It explained that the consultations were aimed at ensuring a transparent, credible and standardised system for handling date of birth changes.
During the suspension, no new applications for date of birth changes will be accepted or processed at any NIA office nationwide. Requests already being processed will also not be approved.
The Authority said it would notify the public once the consultations were completed and the revised guidelines were ready.
It apologised for any inconvenience caused and appealed to the public for understanding and cooperation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Judicial Service of Ghana has announced the suspension of the industrial action by the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) and the Senior Staff Association of the Judicial Service of Ghana (SSAJUG).
In a press release dated November 9, 2026, the Judicial Service said the decision followed productive discussions between the leadership of the two associations and management, resulting in a mutual understanding.
It has consequently directed all staff to resume work with immediate effect, with courts across the country expected to resume normal sittings on Tuesday, November 10.
The Service expressed regret over the disruption caused by the strike and apologised to President John Dramani Mahama, the Executive arm of government, the Speaker of Parliament and Members of Parliament, the legal profession and the general public.
It particularly apologised to court users who experienced inconvenience during the industrial action.
The Judicial Service reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the smooth and timely delivery of justice and thanked stakeholders for their patience and understanding as efforts continue towards a lasting resolution of the issues raised.
By: Jacob Aggrey
