The first cohort of 70 young innovators under the Code4FoodSecurity Fellowship Programme has graduated after completing intensive training in artificial intelligence, data analytics, machine learning and digital innovation aimed at addressing food security challenges.Funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea through KOICA and implemented by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with Blossom Academy, the initiative equipped young people with advanced digital skills to develop technology-driven solutions for stronger food systems and to transform Ghana’s digital agenda. Participants created capstone projects addressing challenges such as post-harvest losses, market inefficiencies and limited access to agricultural data. Speaking at the event, WFP Country Director Aurore Rusiga said innovation and technology are critical to building food systems that are efficient, inclusive, sustainable and resilient.She noted that the country’s food systems continue to face a range of interconnected challenges, including unpredictable weather patterns, rising production costs, post-harvest losses, market inefficiencies and limited access to timely information.According to her, these challenges require new approaches to how food is produced, stored, processed, transported and marketed, making it important to place young people at the centre of efforts to transform agriculture and food systems.Ms. Rusiga said the programme began in January this year with 70 participants and expressed satisfaction that all fellows successfully completed the training. She commended Blossom Academy, trainers, mentors and technical experts who supported the fellows and delivered what she described as a rigorous and industry-relevant learning experience. She said that beyond acquiring technical skills, participants were required to apply their knowledge to real-world food system challenges through capstone projects, demonstrating their ability to move from learning to practical problem-solving. “The projects showcased innovative approaches to addressing food security challenges while highlighting the role digital technologies can play in improving agricultural productivity and food systems management,” she added.Ms. Rusiga further disclosed that 16 fellows secured employment before completing the programme, describing the development as evidence of the strong link between digital skills training and job creation.The Country Director thanked the Government of the Republic of Korea and KOICA for supporting the initiative, noting that the investment contributes not only to the careers of the fellows but also to Ghana’s capacity to harness digital innovation to strengthen food security and resilience.She urged the graduating fellows to continue learning and adapting to technological change, using their skills to drive innovation, strengthen food systems and improve livelihoods.

The 6th African Youth Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Summit has opened in Accra, bringing together young people, government officials, development partners and civil society representatives from across Africa to accelerate progress on the SDGs. The three-day summit, running from 23 - 25 June 2026, is organised by Youth Advocates Ghana, with the United Nations in Ghana among its key partners. The UN resident Coordinator a.i. and UNFPA Ghana Country Representative, Wilfred Ochan, delivered the opening remarks, reaffirming the UN's commitment to meaningful youth engagement in Ghana's development agenda. He emphasised the immense potential of Africa's youthful population, nearly 60% of the continent's population is under the age of 25. "This is not merely a demographic fact, it is one of Africa's greatest opportunities," he said, adding that young people equipped with quality education, skills, healthcare and decent jobs can drive transformative progress across the continent.With less than five years to 2030, Mr.  Ochan acknowledged the urgency of the moment. He pointed to climate change, inequality, unemployment, conflict and rapid technological transformation as compounding pressures on development across the continent, while also framing them as openings for innovation and youth leadership.Beyond the formal proceedings, the opening session carried a distinct energy. For many attendees, the Summit was as much a reunion as a conference, young advocates and change-makers finally meeting in person the peers and networks they had built online, united by a shared commitment to Africa's development.On 25 June, the United Nations in Ghana will host a side event, “Shaping Ghana's Future: National Youth Consultation for The Future of the United Nations in Ghana”, at the West Wing 2, Conference room at the UPSA Auditorium. The session seeks to incorporate youth voices into the development process of the next UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the blueprint guiding the UN system's collective work in Ghana.The African Youth SDGs Summit provides a platform for participants to exchange ideas, forge partnerships and contribute to SDG implementation across the continent.

The UN Global Compact Network Ghana has convened a policy dialogue to mobilize government, business, development partners and civil society to speed up action on closing gender gaps in leadership and the workplace, as Ghana enters the final six months before key provisions of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Act, 2024 (Act 1121) take effect.Convened as a follow-up to the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in March 2026, participants at the dialogue focused on turning global commitments on women’s rights into practical action within Ghana’s private sector and assessed the country’s readiness to meet the Act’s requirement of achieving at least 30% female representation in management and decision-making positions by December 2026.Discussions revealed a significant gap between policy commitments and the current state of women's representation in corporate leadership. According to the 2024 Ghana Board Diversity Index, women hold only 24 percent of board seats in listed companies, while 14 percent of firms continue to operate with all-male boards.With just 180 days remaining before the compliance deadline, stakeholders called on businesses to move beyond statements of support and implement concrete measures to increase women's representation, strengthen inclusive workplace policies and build leadership pipelines for female talent.A panel featuring representatives from Arla Foods, Fidelity Bank Ghana, the Ghana Stock Exchange and the Gender Equity Secretariat of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection shared practical insights on advancing gender equality in the workplace.Fidelity Bank Ghana highlighted its efforts to increase women's representation in leadership through mentorship programmes, talent development initiatives and succession planning. Ghana Manganese Company shared how it is expanding opportunities for women in a traditionally male-dominated sector through targeted recruitment, skills development and workplace inclusion programmes. Cyberteq Falcon Ltd. also outlined measures being implemented to improve gender balance in the technology and cybersecurity industry and position the company to meet the 30 percent target.Participants noted that these experiences demonstrate that the target is both achievable and beneficial for organisational performance. They observed that companies investing in female talent, leadership development and inclusive workplace cultures are making steady progress while strengthening overall business outcomes. Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Ms Marian Kpakpah, said, “Real transformation occurs when institutions change their culture, when policies translate into action, and when equality becomes embedded within organisational systems and practices.”The Deputy Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Ghana, Dr Emmily Naphambo, called on the private sector to play a leading role in advancing gender equality.“The private sector must transition from being a passive observer of gender legislation to becoming an active driver of it,” she said. “True sustainability requires corporate leadership that intentionally dismantles systemic barriers, designs supportive work-life infrastructure, and actively promotes women to decision-making boards.” The dialogue also examined the implications of the Affirmative Action Act, which has shifted gender equality from a voluntary corporate responsibility issue to a legal and regulatory requirement. Participants discussed the forthcoming Gender Equity Compliance Certificate and other accountability mechanisms that will support implementation and compliance.Stakeholders further explored how gender-responsive policies can strengthen Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance, enhance corporate reputation and improve access to investment opportunities. Supported by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) and the Ghana Chamber of Mines, the dialogue is expected to inform a sector readiness report and policy recommendations to support the effective implementation of the legislation. Passed by Parliament in July 2024 and assented to in September 2024, the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Act, 2024 (Act 1121) requires a minimum of 30 percent female representation in decision-making roles by 2026 and sets a pathway towards full gender parity by 2034. The Act also mandates gender-responsive budgeting in public institutions and provides legal remedies for victims of gender-based discrimination.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today called for a rapid global shift away from fossil fuels and towards clean energy, warning that the world is facing twin crises of accelerating climate change and growing energy insecurity. Speaking at the London Climate Action Week, he urged governments, businesses and financial institutions to act with greater urgency to limit global warming, strengthen resilience and deliver climate justice. Describing the current moment as a “Tale of Two Crises,” the Secretary-General said the climate crisis and the global energy crisis may appear separate but are driven by the same underlying cause: dependence on fossil fuels. He stressed that both challenges require the same solution—a fast, fair transition to renewable energy alongside increased investment in adaptation and resilience for vulnerable communities already suffering the impacts of climate change. The Secretary-General noted that the world has just experienced the 11 hottest years on record and warned that climate-related disasters are becoming more frequent, destructive and costly. He cited scientific projections indicating that average global temperatures are likely to exceed the 1.5°C threshold in the coming years, increasing the risk of dangerous climate tipping points, including the collapse of coral reef systems, accelerated ice-sheet loss and disruptions to critical weather systems. At the same time, the UN Secretary-General said recent geopolitical tensions have triggered a major global energy shock, exposing the vulnerability of economies that remain heavily dependent on fossil fuel markets. He argued that the crisis highlights the need for countries to invest in domestic renewable energy capacity to improve energy security and reduce exposure to volatile fuel prices. “There are no embargoes on sunlight and no blockades on the wind,” he said. Highlighting the rapid growth of clean energy, the Secretary-General pointed to dramatic declines in the cost of solar power, wind energy and battery storage over the past decade. He noted that renewable energy is now the cheapest source of new electricity in most parts of the world and that more than 90 per cent of newly added renewable power is already less expensive than the lowest-cost fossil fuel alternatives. To accelerate climate action, the Secretary-General outlined a seven-point agenda. The priorities include urgently reducing greenhouse gas emissions, addressing the energy crisis without expanding fossil fuel production, managing the environmental impact of artificial intelligence, ensuring a just transition for workers and communities, scaling up climate adaptation measures, mobilizing significantly more climate finance and protecting scientific integrity in the face of growing misinformation. A key announcement was the launch of a new Global Call to Action on Methane, aimed at accelerating methane reductions across the waste, agriculture and fossil fuel sectors. The Secretary-General noted that methane is responsible for around one-third of global warming and that existing technology could eliminate approximately 70 per cent of methane emissions from the oil and gas sector at little or no net cost. He called on governments to establish a global standard of near-zero methane emissions across the oil and gas value chain. The Secretary-General also drew attention to the growing environmental footprint of artificial intelligence. He announced a proposed AI Environmental Transparency Initiative, urging major technology companies to publicly disclose the carbon, water and land impacts of their AI systems and to commit to powering all data centres with renewable energy by 2030. On financing, he stressed that developing countries continue to face significant barriers to accessing affordable capital for climate action. He highlighted Africa's enormous clean energy potential, noting that the continent possesses 60 per cent of the world's best solar resources and 30 per cent of critical minerals, yet receives only 2 per cent of global clean-energy investment. More than 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, he said, describing the situation as both unjust and a missed opportunity for global development.  The Secretary-General called on developed countries to fulfil existing climate finance commitments, including delivering the pledged $300 billion for developing countries and advancing efforts to mobilize $1.3 trillion annually by 2035. He also urged multilateral development banks to expand lending and support long-term investments in clean energy, resilient infrastructure and adaptation. Concluding his address, he said the world stands at a critical moment of choice. While climate impacts are intensifying and energy insecurity remains high, he said the rapid expansion of renewable energy offers an unprecedented opportunity to create jobs, strengthen energy security, improve public health and build a more sustainable future.“We can finally turn the page on fossil fuels – and write a future powered by renewables and rooted in climate justice,” he said. “This is our moment of choice. Our moment of truth. Our moment of opportunity.”