“Today, we have the largest global youth population in history, and the vast majority of young people around the world are committed to peace, sustainable development and human rights.
During my career, I met with numerous youth groups, student associations and young leaders and was always impressed by their talent, knowledge and ambition to create a better world. With new forms of technology and interaction, your generation is also more open, cosmopolitan and connected than any previous generation. For these reasons, I am confident that you will be able to do what my generation could not achieve.” Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, speaking at the 2017 Junior Chamber International (JCI) World Conference in the Netherlands.
In an age of rapid technological progress, the central theme set by the United Nations for International Youth Day 2024, “From Clicks to Progress: Digital Youth Pathways for Sustainable Development”, it couldn’t be more timely. This theme highlights the transformative potential of digital technology as a tool for empowering young people, fostering innovation and promoting sustainable development.
As Ghana navigates the complexities of the 21st century, the need to harness digital avenues for youth empowerment could not be more pressing. Ghana’s youth who now constitute a significant percentage of the population as shown by the 2021 Population and Housing Census are not only the future, they are the present. When they are equipped with the necessary digital skills, our country will lay the foundations for a sustainable and prosperous future.
It is worth noting that digital literacy has become the cornerstone for sustainable development, thus the foundation on which development in the digital age must be built. With Ghana’s growing youth population, it is critical to ensure that our youth are digitally literate. This kind of digital literacy should go beyond the ability and ability to use electronic gadgets, but should include an understanding of digital tools, critical thinking in the digital space as well as the ability to use technology to innovate and solve problems.
Research shows that digital skills are increasingly becoming a requirement for hiring workers in various sectors worldwide. Therefore, interventions aimed at enhancing digital literacy among the country’s youth are critical. Programs that provide knowledge and skills in coding, data analysis, cybersecurity skills and digital marketing, in particular, are important in preparing young people for the evolving job market. Furthermore, these skills enable young people to be creative and innovative and could lead to the creation of new solutions and businesses to solve local problems while contributing to the wider goal of realizing sustainable development.
Moreover, Ghana’s youth could catalyze the digital transformation. Equipping young people with digital skills will empower them to be powerful agents of change. Ghana’s modern youth have a natural affinity for technology, and combined with their creativity and energy, positions them to drive digital transformation in various sectors of the country’s economy at all levels. For example, in the agricultural sector, a critical part of the Ghanaian economy, youth-led digital innovations are capable of enhancing productivity, improving supply chain efficiency as well as reducing post-harvest losses.
Also, in the health sector, digital platforms can be developed to improve access to health care services, especially in remote areas. Like the current deployment of drones to deliver critical health supplies such as medicines and blood transfusions to hard-to-reach parts of the country, the adoption of telemedicine, health information systems and mobile health apps are just a few examples of how the technology. leveraged to improve health outcomes. A deliberate national action aimed at actively involving youth in these initiatives will not only address the immediate sectoral challenges but foster a generation of active citizens who are both digitally competent and socially responsible.
From a policy perspective, there is a fundamental need to bridge the digital divide by formulating inclusive policies. Despite the enormous potential of digital avenues for youth empowerment, it is vital that we recognize and address the ongoing digital divide in Ghana. While continuous education of youth across the country by government agencies, the private sector and non-governmental organizations is a good step, it is not enough to bridge the gap.
The existing digital divide is variously characterized by inequalities in access to digital infrastructure, education and opportunities between urban and rural areas, as well as between different socio-economic groups. Bridging this divide sustainably requires policies that are inclusive and make digital resources equitably accessible. This can be done by extending internet connectivity to underserved areas, providing affordable digital devices and embedding digital literacy in the national education curriculum from an early age.
In addition, increased public-private partnerships can significantly drive investments in digital infrastructure and training programs to reach the most marginalized and hard-to-reach parts of the country.
Ghana can use digital technologies to foster a culture of responsible digital citizenship. As the country’s youth are absorbed into the digital world, it is of utmost importance to cultivate a culture of digital citizenship. The digital space offers countless opportunities but also presents challenges such as misinformation, fake news, cyberbullying and privacy concerns. There is a need to educate youth about the ethical use of digital tools and platforms, the importance of safeguarding personal data and information, and the fundamental need to verify information before sharing it is essential to building a productive and safe digital environment.
Finally, it is vital to leverage digital technologies such as online platforms to promote citizen participation and the active participation of Ghanaian youth in governance. This will help in shaping not only a digitally literate generation but also a generation that actively participates in civic activities and deepens democratic governance in the country. These platforms empower young people’s voices to share their views on national issues and contribute to policy dialogue, as well as being able to hold leaders at all levels to account.
The theme of World Youth Day 2024 “From Clicks to Progress: Digital Youth Journeys for Sustainable Development” resonates deeply with Ghana’s aspirations for a sustainable future. Investing in digital literacy, fostering innovation, bridging the digital divide and promoting responsible digital citizenship will create the enabling environment that will empower Ghana’s youth to be the architects of a more inclusive, sustainable and prosperous country. As we join the United Nations and other actors in the company of nations to celebrate International Youth Day 2024, we must commit to creating an enabling environment where every click by a young Ghanaian is a step towards progress for our nation.