. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . .
Special to CPNN from Winner Ogogo
“Beyond the borders that separate us lies a shared purpose, to build an Africa that is peaceful, inclusive, innovative, and driven by the potential of its young people.”
This vision came alive at the 6th African Youth SDGs Summit, held in Accra, Ghana, from 23–25 July 2026, where young leaders, policymakers, innovators, and development practitioners from across the continent gathered to advance conversations on sustainable development and the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The summit reinforced an important reality: Africa’s youth are not merely beneficiaries of development, they are active contributors, innovators, and leaders driving solutions within their communities.
Among the voices contributing to these continental conversations was Winner Ogogo, a Nigerian peacebuilder, communication specialist, and Founder of the Humanitarian Advocacy Peace and Education Initiative (HAPEI). As a panel speaker, she joined fellow leaders in the session, “Breaking Barriers: Unlocking the Full Potential of Women and Marginalized Voices,” where discussions centered on creating inclusive systems that enable women and marginalized communities to fully participate in Africa’s development.
Drawing from her experience in grassroots peacebuilding and youth empowerment, Winner emphasized that sustainable development cannot be achieved without intentional inclusion.
Every voice counts
“When every voice counts, every solution becomes stronger. True inclusion goes beyond representation, it requires creating opportunities for meaningful participation and shared leadership.”
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Can the African Union help bring a culture of peace to Africa?
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She further stressed that if Africa is truly committed to the promise of leaving no one behind, then governments, institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners must move beyond symbolic participation. Young people, women, persons with disabilities, indigenous communities, rural populations, and other underrepresented groups must be recognized as partners in shaping policies, designing programmes, and making decisions that directly affect their lives.
The panel highlighted that empowering women and marginalized communities is not solely a matter of social justice; it is a strategic investment in Africa’s peace, economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development. Inclusive societies are more resilient, more prosperous, and better positioned to address the complex challenges facing the continent.
For lasting change
Reflecting on the discussions, Winner concluded:
“Lasting change happens when we move beyond consultation to genuine collaboration, where communities are not merely beneficiaries of development but co-creators of the future we seek to build.”
Beyond the formal sessions, the summit fostered collaboration among delegates from across Africa, creating opportunities for cross-border partnerships, cultural exchange, and shared learning. These interactions reflected the spirit of Pan-Africanism envisioned in Agenda 2063 – an Africa driven by its people, where collaboration, innovation, and unity become the foundation for sustainable progress.
As Africa accelerates efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and realizing the aspirations of Agenda 2063, one message emerged clearly from the summit: the continent’s greatest resource is its people, particularly its young people. Investing in youth leadership, promoting gender equality, and ensuring inclusive participation are no longer optional, they are essential for building the peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive Africa we all envision.
The future of Africa will not be shaped by aspirations alone. It will be shaped by young people who are willing to lead, collaborate, and transform ideas into action, one community, one partnership, and one solution at a time.
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