The National Population Council (NPC) and stakeholders have commemorated World Population Day with a call to ensure gender equality and empowerment of the youth for a sustainable future.
It stressed that an empowered youth made informed choices about their reproductive health, leading to lower maternal and child mortality rates and more stable family sizes, which were essential for sustainable population growth and national planning.
These sentiments run through various speakers at the event, which was celebrated yesterday at Mantse Agbona Park, James Town in Accra, on the theme: “Empowering the Youth to Create Quality Families in an Inclusive Society.”
The speakers included the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie; the acting Executive Director of the council, Angelina Kodua Nyanor; a professor at the Regional Institute of Population Studies, University of Ghana, Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Cudjoe, who chaired the function.
The commemoration highlighted the critical role of the youth in national development and the need for a concerted effort to address their challenges, particularly in the areas of education, employment, and reproductive health.
It brought together representatives from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Members of Parliament, civil society organisations, youth groups and some students.
It featured free health screening for participants and awards for three journalists and media houses.
The 2025 World Population Day is also celebrated to raise awareness of population issues within the broader context of sustainable development, drawing links between population dynamics, human rights and national planning.
Empowerment
The Minister of Tourism, in a keynote address, called for immediate steps to eliminate harmful social practices and invest in youth empowerment, especially for girls.
“In Ghana, young people face numerous challenges, including limited access to education, health care, employment opportunities, and participation in decision-making processes.
Young girls are disproportionately affected,” Ms Gomashie said, quoting the 2024 UNFPA report, which shows that more than half of Ghana’s population is under 25 years.
She advocated stronger legal and policy frameworks that protect women’s rights and promote equal participation.
“We must invest in quality education, comprehensive sexuality education, health care, including sexual and reproductive health services, and create an environment where young people can thrive,” she said.
Ms Gomashie, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ketu South, also called on government and stakeholders to integrate the youth in the decision-making process by crafting youth-centred national plans that are measureable, inclusive and backed by resources.
She urged the youth to dream bigger and dare further. “Your potentials are unmatched but you must believe first”, she said.
Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Kudjoe said it was important that the youth were given the tools, resources and supportive environments to make informed decisions about their health, education, livelihoods and relationships.
He said creating quality families went beyond just family size. It is about offering support and nurturing environments where every child has a chance to thrive, with access to reproductive health services, family planning, mental health support, career opportunities, and protection from harmful practices such as child marriage and gender-based violence.
He called on stakeholders, policymakers, parents, traditional leaders, civil society, and the youth themselves to help build their future.
Commitment
The acting Executive Director of NPC reiterated the council’s commitment to youth and gender issues.
“Empowering youth isn’t only a moral obligation, it is a prerequisite for national progress,” Mrs Nyanor said.
She said it was important to empower young people with the knowledge, skills and socio-economic support to make informed decisions about their reproductive health and to prepare them to be responsible future family and community leaders.
