Throughout the world, women and young people have made an effort for recognition, attention, inclusion, etc. The achievement of all of them generates a high degree of satisfaction. That is why the United Nations, in its Sustainable Development Goals, addresses issues related to women and young people, with a specific objective: EDS 5 Gender equality.

There is no doubt that in Africa these cracks are greater, due to factors well known as poverty. But it would be unfair and inappropriate not to assess the efforts and progress made over the years by African women and young people. They have received support through the review and implementation of policies, inclusions and strategic positions and creation of opportunities worldwide.

Today, Africa Day 2022, I want to pay tribute to these collectives, especially young women, who are doing a great job of bringing prosperity to our continent.

The support received through public policies has been an advance in the lives of African women and young people. In my country, Ghana, in 2010, youth policy was re-enacted to encourage the participation of young people in five priority areas: education and vocational training, scientific and technological research, information, communication and technology (ICT), and youth employment and enterprise development.

Not confined to politics, Ghana has shown its commitment to these priorities through the implementation of major international projects. The Ministry of Education has promoted the Girls in ICTs programme (in higher education I channel it myself), in which girls, from primary to higher, participate in various courses on new technologies (including programming); the winners, depending on their level of origin, receive computer equipment for their communities or those of higher education directly participate in ICT incubators. The Ministry of Education has built both the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and the Technical Vocational Training schools that are already underway, as well as two state-level universities where entrepreneurship is a compulsory subject from the first to the fourth year.

There is also a national gender policy in Ghana that addresses female poverty and the way women are guaranteed justice and health, among other things. In addition, some organizations in the country have only a responsibility to ensure compliance with these policies, such as the Ghana Enterprise Agency and the Microfinance and Small Loans Agency. In Sierra Leone, in the last five years, high-impact public policies have been implemented, such as the adoption of a realistic vision of violence, harassment and sexual abuse.

In recent years, many African countries have strategically placed women and young people in positions of power. They have proven to provide innovative solutions, not parochial or patriarchal, so it is important that they hold high positions and positions in order to be able to directly influence the decisions that are taken. In Namibia, for example, we have the following young women: Daisry Mathias, President ' s adviser; Emma Inamutila Theofelus, ICT Deputy Minister; and Patience Masua, the youngest woman selected in the country ' s parliament. In Ghana, Jake Bedia, youth ambassador for the diaspora in 2018 at the President’s office and now ambassador for youth participation. Most CEOs of government agencies are young and many MPs are women (young); moreover, the youngest members of Parliament are women, such as Francisca Oteng Mensah, the youngest introduced in the Parliament of Ghana.

African women and young people, like all others, are taking advantage of the opportunities available to them, such as increased participation in youth councils and committees, scholarships, etc. We do not need any action or idea, but we do need financial support. Today's young people are already shaping their future.

Have a Happy Day of Africa!