Youth Urged to Turn Environmental Challenges into Green Business Opportunities

Young people in the Northern Region have been urged to turn environmental challenges such as waste, deforestation and land degradation into viable green businesses and sustainable jobs.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Nanton, Madam Abdul-Rahaman Zenabu Rosina, made the call on behalf of the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Ali Adolf John, at the Ghanaian Youth Summit 2026 on Environmental Conservation and Green Jobs.

The summit, held on Tuesday at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, was organised by the Centre for Opportunities and Rural Development (CORD Ghana) in collaboration with UDS on the theme: “Empowering Young People for Environmental Conservation, Green Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Job Creation.”

Madam Rosina said the Northern Region abounds with opportunities in agriculture, livestock production, renewable energy, agro-processing and environmental restoration, but challenges such as youth unemployment, bushfires, irregular rainfall and plastic pollution continue to undermine livelihoods.

She said those challenges should not be seen as setbacks, but as entry points for innovation, enterprise development and job creation.

According to her, areas such as compost production from organic waste, plastic recycling, sustainable packaging, tree nursery establishment, solar installation, briquette production, agroforestry and climate-smart agriculture offer practical and profitable avenues for youth entrepreneurship.

Madam Rosina said the government, under President John Dramani Mahama, is prioritising investment in youth skills development and entrepreneurship as part of its economic transformation and job-creation agenda.

She cited the Adwumawura Programme under the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), which provides business training, mentorship and start-up support for young entrepreneurs, and the National Apprenticeship Programme, which offers technical and vocational skills in areas including solar systems, electrical maintenance, sustainable agriculture and waste recovery.

She encouraged interested youth to apply via https://nap.nya.gov.gh/nap/

Madam Rosina stressed the need for concerted efforts involving Government agencies, District Assemblies, traditional authorities, schools and community organisations to protect water bodies, prevent bushfires, restore degraded lands and reduce plastic pollution.

She also urged young people to form environmental clubs and community volunteer networks to translate awareness into concrete environmental action.

The summit brought together young people, policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs, civil society organisations and development partners to deliberate on practical solutions to environmental challenges and youth unemployment.

Bala Ali Salifu Yakubu Abdulai, ISD