Africa-Press – Ghana. Ghana has marked a historic global milestone with the hosting of a National Civil Society conference in Accra to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations (UN@80) and the 2025 International Human Rights Day.
The commemoration positioned civil society at the centre of national and global conversations on accountability, inclusion, and human dignity.
The high-level conference, brought together diplomats, civil society leaders, women’s rights advocates, academics, and youth groups from across the country.
Participants were united by a shared commitment to reaffirm the indispensable role of civic actors in safeguarding human rights and strengthening multilateral cooperation in an increasingly complex global environment.
Organised by the Coalition of NGOs Associated with the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC) Ghana, the conference placed strong emphasis on gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive development, underscoring their centrality to sustainable development, democratic governance, and social justice.
Speaking as Special Guest of Honour, Rev. Canon Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, Chief Patron of the International Youth Network for United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 (IYNUNSCR), delivered a message on the universality of human dignity, by calling on Ghanaians to reject all forms of discrimination, defend fundamental freedoms, and sustain interfaith harmony as the bedrock of peaceful coexistence, national unity, and social cohesion.
A major highlight of the conference was an intervention by Dr. Angela Dwamena Aboagye, Executive Director of The Ark Foundation, who called for renewed and strengthened national commitment to gender justice.
She warned that persistent inequalities continued to undermine Ghana’s human rights gains and urged policymakers to strengthen law enforcement mechanisms, expand women’s leadership opportunities, protect vulnerable populations, and reinforce families as a foundational pillar of human rights protection.
Dr. Dwamena emphasized that investing in women was an investment in society as a whole, noting that while women shouldered the greatest burden of unpaid care and domestic labour, they continued to contribute disproportionately to national development.
Mrs. Theophiline Bannerman, Convener of the Coalition of NGOs Associated with the UN DGC Ghana, described civil society as “the lifeblood of global cooperation,” underscoring the indispensable role of non-state actors in holding governments accountable and ensuring people-centred governance.
“Civil society is where the voices of the marginalized find resonance,” she stated. “Our advocacy ensures that policies reflect the realities of ordinary people, not just the rhetoric of officials.”
She called for enhanced collaboration between NGOs, government institutions, and the UN system to address urgent societal challenges, particularly those affecting women, children, and young people.
Adding a strong continental and regional perspective, Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong, Executive Director of EIB Network, stressed the need for increased investment in women’s participation across all sectors of society.
“For Africa to thrive, we must create spaces where women lead, innovate, and make decisions that shape our economies, communities, and governance,” she said.
“Gender equality is not just a women’s issue—it is a national imperative.”
She also announced plans for the Women in Sustainability Africa Summit, scheduled for May 21, 2026, aimed at amplifying women’s voices in policy formulation, entrepreneurship, and climate action.
Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, Founder and Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) asserted that meaningful youth participation was not optional but “a development imperative in an era defined by climate threats, conflict, unemployment, digital risks, and shrinking civic spaces.”
He emphasized that no country could achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) without empowering its youth, who constitute the largest demographic in Ghana and across much of Africa.
Speaking also as Convener of the Youth Sub-Platform of the Ghana CSOs Platform on the SDGs, on the theme “Youth Engagement in Advancing Human Rights and the SDGs,” he highlighted key challenges confronting Ghanaian youth, including limited participation in policymaking, rising unemployment, digital misinformation, and increased vulnerability to drug abuse, violence, and radicalization.
He showcased the transformative work of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, citing initiatives such as the Nationwide Sensitization Campaign on Kidnapping, Teenage Pregnancy and Tramadol/Drug Abuse (KTT Project), which had educated over 60,000 Ghanaians on critical issues including kidnapping, teenage pregnancy, and substance abuse.
“Youth are not just beneficiaries of policy; they are key agents of change. When young people are empowered, societies thrive,” he stated.
He called on government, civil society, and the UN system to adopt a bold, youth-centred agenda by institutionalizing youth participation, protecting civic freedoms, investing in innovation and digital literacy, strengthening partnerships, and prioritizing marginalized young people.
“Youth leadership is the engine of national progress. Token inclusion is not enough; we need real power-sharing and opportunities for the next generation,” he concluded.
The conference concluded with a unified call for strengthened collaboration among civil society, government, and global partners to advance human dignity, gender justice, youth empowerment, and sustainable development as the United Nations enters a new decade of global action.
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