Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has added her voice to commitments by the Group of 77 (G-77) and China to work toward the improvement of lives for young people.
The group also highlighted efforts to assist them to realize their full potential and to make valuable and positive contributions to the development of their various societies.
At a high level meeting of the 73rd UN General Assembly on Youth Unemployment on Thursday September 27, 2018, the G-77 and China concluded that there were no quick fix solutions to youth unemployment issues, stressing that deploying the appropriate strategies was essential for the attainment of a sustained economic growth across that would resonate across the globe.
Speaking on behalf of the G-77, Egypt which chaired the 2018 meeting said it was imperative therefore, that developing countries, with the support of the international community and developed partners, build new and more inclusive development channels with the aim of providing equal employment opportunities to all people.
UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres lauded the G-77 and China for focusing on youth employment adding that the ultimate goal of the sustainable development is to make the world a better place for the youth.
Mr Guterres added that he had initiated reforms at the UN to make the world body more inclusive, diversified and responsive to the needs of the times.
Various leaders and their representatives took turns to share ideas from member-countries and efforts at working to reduce the canker to the barest minimum.
Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister who doubles as the Minister for Foreign Affairs Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah talked about a newly set-up youth enterprise centre in that country aimed at equipping the youth with entrepreneurial skills, while encouraging the creation of own businesses.
The Minister in-charge of Foreign Affairs for Malaysia, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah intimated, access to quality education with emphasis on skill acquisition and entrepreneurship has the potential to be a turning point for achieving the goal.
On her part, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey described the youth in Africa as agents of change.
She was optimistic the common desire for a transformative global development agenda could best be achieved through collective efforts and an enhanced global partnership that places development and the wellbeing of young people at its core.
Ayorkor Botchwey outlined the government of Ghana’s initiatives on free SHS and the creation of an institutional support system for the Ghanaian youth through training and acquisition of skills for soft credits and mentorship to develop one’s venture.
The G-77 is a coalition of developing nations, aimed at promoting the economic interests of its members. The group also creates for its members, enhanced joint negotiating capacities in the United Nations.
It was constituted in the year 1963 with 77 countries and currently has a membership of 134 including Ghana and China who considers itself as a partial member.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
