Ato Ulzen-Appiah, Director of the GhanaThink Foundation, has emphasized that young people must take a leading role in the development and use of technology. As primary users of available technology, he urged the youth to leverage these tools to support national development.
Mr. Ulzen-Appiah spoke to A1 Radio’s Mark Smith on the Day Break Upper East Show, following the celebration of International Youth Day. The theme for the 2024 celebration was “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.”
According to the United Nations, young people are at the forefront of digital adoption and innovation, with three-quarters of those aged 15 to 24 using the internet in 2022— a rate higher than other age groups. However, disparities remain, especially in low-income countries and among young women, who often have less access to the internet and digital skills compared to their male counterparts.
Despite the urgent need to enhance digital inclusion, youth are widely recognized as “digital natives,” utilizing technology to drive change and develop solutions. As the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) approaches, the role of young people in digital innovation is crucial for addressing global issues.
Mr. Appiah stressed the importance of leveraging internet and development tools, noting that many young Ghanaians now have access to these resources. The focus, he explained, is on helping them understand how to use these tools effectively. “The key thing is to help people understand how to leverage these tools to do more.” He encouraged creators to develop more engaging content and suggested that influencers play a crucial role in this process.
He urged young people to take charge of their futures, particularly through technology, highlighting that technology is a field where the youth have significant expertise and passion. By harnessing these skills, they can positively contribute to their communities, country, and continent. “I’d like to tell young people that we should be leading now. In many cases, technology is our field. It’s something that we understand more, appreciate more, and engage with more. So let’s try and leverage it,” he said.
Furthermore, Mr. Appiah stressed the importance of the youth population in Ghana and encouraged them to maximize their potential to drive progress and success.
In line with its mission to support young people, the GhanaThink Foundation, according to Mr. Ulzen-Appiah, has directly impacted approximately 23,000 young individuals across the country.
“We’ve been able to directly impact about 23,000 young people in Ghana,” he said. Additionally, over the past few years, the foundation has trained more than 1,400 youths, equipping them with essential skills.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudabior | Bolgatanga
