Our Deputy Executive Director represented GTS Hub at the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum in New York, where youth voices are actively shaping the future of global development.
In May 2026, Green Transition Skills Hub had the honour of being represented at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum in New York — one of the most significant platforms for youth engagement within the UN system.
Why ECOSOC Matters for Youth in Ghana
The ECOSOC Youth Forum brings together young leaders, NGOs, government representatives, and international bodies to debate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For an organisation like GTS Hub — working at the intersection of youth employment, clean energy, and climate action — the Forum offered a vital opportunity to contribute African youth perspectives to global conversations.
“Young people in Ghana are not waiting for the green transition to happen to them. They are driving it. What they need is structured skills, opportunity, and a seat at the table.”
— Lilly Effah, GTS Hub at the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum
Key Themes from the Forum
- Accelerating the green transition through youth-led enterprise and skills development
- Bridging the digital divide to ensure no young person is left behind in the energy transition
- Strengthening multi-stakeholder partnerships between civil society, governments, and the private sector
- Centering gender equity in climate-resilient economic planning
- Mobilising climate finance for emerging economies in Sub-Saharan Africa
What GTS Hub Brought to the Table
GTS Hub's presence at the Forum was not merely observational. Representing a grassroots organisation delivering real green skills to real young people in Accra, our delegation was able to offer concrete evidence of what works — and what remains unsupported — at the community level in West Africa.
We shared insights from our Green Skills & Employment Initiative (GSEI), which has already trained youth in solar PV installation, green hydrogen systems, and enterprise development. We also highlighted our Green Transition Awareness & Career Pathways (GTAP) programme, which is reaching over 8,000 students across Senior High Schools and TVET institutions in Ghana.
Looking Ahead
The Forum reinforced what GTS Hub has always believed: that youth are not just the future of development — they are its present. The connections made in New York will directly inform our advocacy work, our programme design, and our pursuit of international partnerships that can scale our impact across Ghana and the wider West African sub-region.
We return energised, better-networked, and more committed than ever to our mission of training youth and growing Ghana.
