‘Involve youth in development processes’

Acting Dutch Ambassador to Ghana, Caecilia Wijgersdep, has charged the nation to ensure the inclusion of youth in development processes to realise the Sustainable Development Goals that will be approved by the United Nations, UN, in September this year.

 

Speaking at a special event to welcome Jilt van Schayik and Teun Meulepas, two Dutch students who are cycling from Amsterdam to Cape Town and who made a stop-over in Accra, Ambassador Wijgersdep said youth empowerment is crucial for national growth. 

The debate and bicycle tour, dubbed “The World We Want”, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the University of Ghana SRC, was aimed at raising awareness about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to give Ghanaian students a voice in the process. 

The mission of Jilt and Teun, co-founders of the Building Bridges Foundation, is to picture the post-2015 agenda from a different perspective; a perspective that focuses on the priorities of young men and women at the grassroots level, and their vision of the world in 2030.

Van Schayik, a co-founder of Building Bridges, believes there is a gap between international policymakers and the everyday lives of young people at the grassroots level. 

He believes the post-2015 development agenda is too far removed from everyday experience. 

“The aim of this ambitious project is to connect young people, share our stories and inspire one another to make a difference in this world.  We want to give young people a voice,” he said.

Van Schayik and Meulepas will ride through 20 different countries, each of which has national projects organised by and for young people.

Abena Benewaa Fosu, a Ghanaian Youth Ambassador, said policymakers should realise that young people are capable of supporting them to drive the development agenda of their country and the world at large.

A celebrated young entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Horseman Shoes, Tonyi Senayah, challenged the young and students to pursue their talent and prepare to take up challenging roles in ensuring economic transformation.