News Desk Report
The Upper West Regional edition of the Ghanaian Youth Summit 2026 has called for greater youth participation in building a circular economy, with stakeholders urging young people to transform environmental challenges into sustainable businesses and employment opportunities.
The summit, organised by the Centre for Opportunities and Rural Development (CORD Ghana) in Wa, brought together young people, government representatives, development practitioners and other stakeholders to explore how environmental sustainability can create economic opportunities for the region’s youth.
Executive Director of CORD Ghana, Dr. Kodimah Siita, challenged young people to move beyond environmental awareness campaigns and become active players in the growing green economy.
He identified renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management and recycling as promising sectors in which young people could establish businesses, create jobs and generate sustainable incomes.
Dr. Siita emphasised that environmental conservation presents opportunities for economic empowerment, urging the youth to develop innovative enterprises that address environmental challenges while contributing to sustainable development.
The Chief Director of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, Mr. Mumuni Shaiku Damma, who represented the Regional Minister, Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozuing, commended CORD Ghana and its partners for bringing the summit to the region.
He highlighted the potential of emerging green economic activities to improve livelihoods and support regional development, while pledging the Council’s support for initiatives that empower young people.
Technical Specialist, Dr. Cynthia Kutri, also drew attention to environmental challenges confronting the region and encouraged young people to explore opportunities in environmental conservation, sustainable natural resource management and green entrepreneurship.
A representative of the National Youth Authority (NYA) highlighted government interventions, including the National Apprenticeship Programme, encouraging young people to acquire practical skills that could improve their employability and entrepreneurial prospects.
The summit, supported through the WACCID Project under the INTERREG MAC Programme, with funding facilitated by the Canary Islands Institute of Technology (ITC), underscored the importance of collaboration among government, civil society, development partners and the private sector in advancing youth-led green enterprises.
Participants further emphasised the need for a youth-driven circular economy where green skills, innovation and decent green jobs can contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future for Ghana.
The discussions reinforced the importance of repositioning young people from passive beneficiaries of environmental interventions to innovators and entrepreneurs capable of creating economic value from solutions to environmental problems.
Source: www.climatewatchonline.com
