Young people are crucial stakeholders in addressing developmental challenges

Accra: Nana Ama Obuobi-Donkor, the Acting Greater Accra Regional Population Officer, says the youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow but crucial stakeholders in addressing today's developmental challengesShe said authorities at the community, district, regional and national level must provide the youth with platforms for engagement and listening to their voices as partners in decision-making processes at the various levels of society.Nana Obuobi-Donkor was speaking at an event organised by the Greater Accra Office of the National Population Council and partners to commemorate the World Population Day in Accra.This year's event was on the theme: 'The Power of 12 million youth as key drivers towards a resilient future for Ghana' with the global theme as 'Embracing the power of inclusive data, towards a resilient and equitable future for all.'The World Population Day is observed annually on July 11 to raise awareness about the global population issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and their i mpact on the environment, national development as well as on the well-being of humanity.She said Ghana's total population in 2021 was over 30 million and it was projected to be 33 million in 2024, showing an increase of 1.07 times according to the Ghana Statistical Service.Nana Obuobi-Donkor said the Service had also projected Ghana's population to increase to 37.24million in 2030 to 52.47million in 205.She said the Greater Accra Region's population currently stood at 5.45million, an increase from 4 million from the 2010 Population and Housing Census.'Factors influencing population growth are fertility, mortality and migration. And rapid population growth affects various sectors like health, agriculture, education and urbanization of the economy and could still affect the rate of economic growth,' she addedShe said the areas of investment to create opportunities for the youth included education, skill training, employment, mentorship programmes and reproductive health services, adding that the youth energy, creativity and determination were essential ingredients in driving sustainable development for all.Mr Matthias Blay, Greater Accra Regional Director, National Youth Authority, said the transition in the increase of young people was evident in all regions specially the Greater Accra, and called on the youth to harness and cultivate their talents for national development.He said the Authority was implementing a project to build capacity of young people in agribusiness in all the 29 Districts of the Region with support from the Mastercard Foundation.'We want to develop the country with the youth ready to work to better their lives and that of their families. I urge the youth to come together to impact their communities with fresh ideas,' Mr Blay said.Source: Ghana News Agency