The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Dr Christian Rogg, has encouraged young people in Ghana to speak up on issues of inclusion, good governance, and the empowerment of women and girls.
He also urged the youth to raise their voices on matters of climate resilience and values upheld within the Commonwealth of Nations. Dr Rogg made the call while addressing participants at a Model Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held at the University for Development Studies in Tamale.
The programme was organized by the Northern Youth Parliament as part of activities marking the Commonwealth Day celebration. The event was held on the theme: “UnlockingOpportunities Together for a Prosperous Commonwealth.”
During the meeting, young participants acted as representatives of Commonwealth member states and deliberated on the topic “Integration of Youth-Led Initiatives in Unlocking Opportunities for a Prosperous Nation.” Discussions focused on youth participation in peace, governance, and security within the Commonwealth.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Christian Rogg noted that more than 60 percent of the population within the Commonwealth of Nations are young people aged 30 and below, making youth development a key priority for the organisation.
He explained that the Commonwealth continues to focus on empowering young people, strengthening security, and ensuring that youth voices are heard in governance and development processes.
Dr Rogg also reiterated the strong relationship between Ghana and the United Kingdom, stating that the two countries share a common commitment to democracy, development, and cooperation.
According to him, the Commonwealth, made up of 56 countries and about 2.7 billion people, is united not only by shared history but also by a collective vision for the future. The High Commissioner also delivered a goodwill message from King Charles III to Ghana as the country celebrates its 69th Independence Anniversary, reaffirming the King’s commitment to strengthening the partnership between Ghana and the United Kingdom.
Dr. Rogg, however, expressed concern about increasing reports of conflicts, the growing threats and impacts of climate change, and the misuse of emerging technologies.
He stressed that addressing such global challenges requires stronger cooperation among Commonwealth of Nations member countries, noting that some nations are already facing threats from sea-level rise and desertification.
Speaker of the Northern Youth Parliament, Mr Alhassan Musah Timtooni, expressed gratitude to the British High Commissioner for participating in the programme.
He said the engagement demonstrates the importance of youth involvement in governance and urged policymakers across the Commonwealth to take youth-related issues seriously.
A member of the Northern Youth Parliament, Abdul Muhsin Mohammed Saani, described the High Commissioner’s visit as encouraging and inspiring. He expressed hope that the interaction would motivate young people to actively participate in governance and contribute meaningfully to national development.
