Green Growth Ghana Project to empower women, youth launched in Wa

The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), in alliance with Presbyterian University Ghana and financially supported by the European Union Delegation in Ghana, on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 launched the Green Growth Ghana Project.

The two days event which took place in Wa, Upper West Regional Capital, has a groundbreaking initiative aimed to economically empower women and youth in the green and circular economy sectors in Ghana’s Northern Savannah Regions (Upper West, Upper East and Northern).

The project seeks to create opportunities for women and youth by fostering entrepreneurship in agro-forestry and circular economy sectors, and will also provide training, funding, and mentorship to small-scale green enterprises catchment areas.

Green Growth Ghana will also address critical issues related to environmental sustainability, poverty reduction, and gender equality with strong alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), precisely Goal 5: Gender Equality, Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and Goal 13: Climate Action.

Addressing participants at the launch, Dr Clement Osei-Amoako, President of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated that Ghana faces considerable challenges, including a rapidly growing population, high poverty rates, and continued economic dependence on agriculture, making it vulnerable to climate change.

“We have also begun to experience severe effects from rising temperatures on agricultural production, particularly with the current drought affecting yields in the northern regions. Unsustainable practices, including rampant illegal mining, further threatening livelihoods, water supply and the sustenance of our natural resources”, he added.

Dr Osei-Amoako further stated that it is worth noting that the shift towards green and circular business practices requires collaboration among the private sector, traditional authorities, government, and development partners, therefore they must collaboratively create pathways that ensure the country’s sustainability and preserve the planet’s potential for future generations to thrive.

“In view of this pressing need, I urge Ghanaian businesses to align their processes with green and circular principles and encourage business associations to promote environmental best practices. Traditional leaders should also support the implementation of sustainable principles in community regulations and by-laws”, Dr Osei-Amoako urged.

Project team leader, Chris Addy-Nayo mentioned that the informal sector is bedeviled with infrastructure limitations, lower productivity, and concentration in labor-intensive, and low-technology sectors.

“Therefore, women’s economic empowerment is a top priority for poverty reduction and sustainable growth. Young people are crucial for driving innovation and social capital, particularly in agribusiness and circular economy”, he stated.

The project launch brought together representatives from government ministries, civil society organizations, traditional authorities, and private sector leaders.

It was organized under the theme: “Promote the Economic Empowerment of Women and Youth in Green and Circular Economy Sectors in Northern, Upper West and Upper East Regions”.

Some outstanding businesses were given certificates of recognition with Naa–Momori Technical Institute in Wa receiving sewing machines.

The post Green Growth Ghana Project to empower women, youth launched in Wa first appeared on 3News.

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