Today, the world celebrates International Youth Day under the theme “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” where the focus is on the potential of digital technology in youth’s lives.
In Ghana, where more than 60% of the population is below the age of 35, the youth and particularly those in the rural areas are faced with so many challenges. This has been compounded by; low education standards, high unemployment and under employment, and inadequate social amenities. The digital skills gap is especially significant, and most of the rural youth cannot access the internet and the skills required to operate in the modern economy. These challenges are aggravated by effects of climate change and environmental degradation that are likely to deepen the social and economic vulnerability of many people living in rural areas. Inability to access digital technology not only excludes young people in matters pertaining to education and employment but also in addressing the challenges and participating in the formulation of solutions to the challenges by the global community.
The Alliance for Empowering Rural Communities (AERC) acknowledge the functions of the digital technology in the lives of youths. In the efforts of the AERC, it has been able train over 15 of its volunteers and interns volunteers over the in using essential digital tools like Microsoft suite apps and professional email management. By way of its activities, AERC is in the process of preparing the young generation of Ghanaians with requisite digital competencies for the actualization of sustainable development goals and to foster sustainable development within society.
Digital Empowerment Programs are flagship programswhich the country needs to adopt, aimed at helping the rural youths to have access to the digital devices and skills in rural areas. Although some cases of implementation have been recorded in the country, facilities responsible for this are redundant and this is further exacerbated by lack of electricity, theft and neglect. Online schooling, virtual conferences and other forms of digital activity have a positive impression to actualize skills in the spheres of business, environment, and politics. Through addressing the digital divide, AERC is therefore positively calls for stakeholders to take action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially in those of quality education (SDG 4), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) and reduced inequalities (SDG 10). The role of AERC is to engage local government and community leaders for rural youth needs and perspectives to be considered in policy decisions impacting on young people. Besides, it fosters the capacities of youth and communities in achieving sustainable development as envisaged in the sustainable development goals. The theme “From Clicks to Progress” means that sustainable development should come from the online activity by translating it into the tangible action. In this year’s International Youth Day, it is evident that digital technology is one of the powerful tools for change in the future. The case of Alliance for Empowering Rural Communities shows that if specific attempts are made to improve the situation of youths and their access to digital skills and tools, one can see that the United Nations SDGs are within reach. Ghana must therefore keep investing in the digital pathways; so that the future of this country is not one where the youth are passive actors, but active shapers of the sustainable future.
