Accra, Ghana – The Honourable Dr. Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo (MP), Minister for Labour, Jobs, and Employment, has expressed his admiration for the Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO) for organizing a groundbreaking conference focusing on youth empowerment and job creation.
The Minister emphasized the importance of addressing social challenges through innovation, highlighting the inspiring examples of young entrepreneurs transforming waste into viable business ventures.
“Firstly, I would like to congratulate GAYO for hosting this innovative conference that positively impacts young people and fosters societal development,” he stated. He elaborated, “When we face social challenges and seek to address them, innovation is often born. You create something out of nothing.”
Speaking at the second cohort of the Developing Youth Ecopreneurs Conference (DYEC), held in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region, Dr. Pelpuo praised the projects showcased at the exhibition center, where youth are creatively utilizing waste materials—such as paper, rubber, and plastic—to produce items like sandals. “I visited the exhibition center and witnessed how they repurpose waste paper and discarded materials into functional products.
These individuals, faced with challenges, are applying their knowledge to transform what is typically seen as waste into something valuable,” he remarked.
The conference, which took place from May 13 to 17, 2026, under the theme “An Intergenerational Dealroom for Youth-led Climate Enterprises for Africa’s Green Transition,” convened Eco-Clubs from across Ghana and other African nations to discuss the challenges confronting young ecopreneurs on the continent.
Dr. Pelpuo underscored that GAYO’s initiative directly addresses the employment needs of young people. “This conference represents a beacon of innovation and poses a challenge to youth. I commend GAYO for their efforts, and I believe this marks the beginning of many significant developments. I urge the young participants to harness the inspiration gained here and elevate their initiatives to the next level.”
He encouraged the youth to embrace creativity and forge their own opportunities, referencing successful innovations such as Facebook and Microsoft.
“In many circumstances, especially in underprivileged communities, the absence of job opportunities signifies a demand for creation. Someone must step in to fulfill that need. When Facebook didn’t exist, the vision for it was yet to be realized, and the same applies to Microsoft. These creators not only solved societal issues but also generated job opportunities,” he stated.
In conclusion, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting climate change and green job initiatives, asserting, “It is imperative for the government to inspire and assist our youth in these endeavors. We can back them through climate change initiatives and green jobs, allowing us to develop solutions from our available resources.”
Source: www.climatewatchonline.com
