The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Friday, November 29,2024 honoured 362 young Achievers with Gold Awards for fulfilling and completing their tasks under the Duke of Edinburgh Head of State Award Scheme.
The young Achievers received certificates, medals and badges at the event held at the Jubilee House.
The event celebrated persons and individuals who have been successful in their various fields including the promotion of children, girls and women empowerment with the Special HoSA Honours.
The Duke of Edinburgh Head of State Award Scheme, is a non-formal education and learning programme that challenges, empowers, and recognizes young people between the ages of 14 and 24.
By recognizing the amazing things young people can do and learn outside the boundaries of formal education, the Award empowers them to discover hidden talents, develop untapped leadership potential and make a difference in their community.
Founded by HRH Prince Philip, it provides a global accreditation to activities, initiatives and projects led by young people outside the classroom.
The Award comprises three levels and four sections and is designed to provide a balanced programme of personal development and challenge.
Participants complete all four sections at each level in order to achieve their Award. At the Gold level, participants also complete a Gold Residential Project.
The award scheme encourages young people who qualify to engage in a good number of activities.
These activities are used to help young people learn to be versatile and also develop the ability to face life positively.
The Theme for this year’s HOSA was, “Building the Future: Enhancing Youth Skills and Employability.”
A lot of dignitaries, including Mr Stephen Peck, Deputy Secretary General and Chief Operating Officer for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, Mr Harry B. Sintim-Aboagye, HOSA Board Chair, Mrs Harriet Thompson, British High Commissioner who represented HRH Prince Edward graced the occasion.
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At the 2024 Gold Awards Ceremony, the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo congratulated awardees who were mostly women, saying that their hard work cannot go unnoticed, therefore the celebration of their achievement.
As a Chief Patron of the awards, the President emphasized the government’s effort and initiatives to empower young people not just to seek jobs but to create them.
“As we strive to meet the demands of a globalized economy, we must also be mindful of sustainability. Climate change is real, and it is imperative that we prepare our youth for opportunities in green jobs and sustainable industries,” he said.
The President continued that, “Through initiatives such as the Green Ghana project, in our climate prosperity plan, we are creating avenues for young people to engage in reforestation, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture. These sectors not only address environmental challenges, but also hold immense potential for job creation.”
He was of the view that, “Enhancing youth skills and employability cannot be achieved by government alone, it requires the concerted effort of all stakeholders, educators, parents, civil society and the private sector.”
He therefore encouraged businesses to deepen their collaboration with their Educational Institutions through internships, apprenticeship and on the job training programmes.
“Our international partners must also continue to support initiatives that target youth empowerment, together, we can build an eco system where every young Ghanaian is given the opportunity to thrive,” he added.
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