Upper West Red Cross Youth Secretariat holds summit to reignite volunteerism among youth

The Youth Secretariat of the Upper West Regional Branch of the Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) has held a youth summit to reignite the spirit of volunteerism and service to humanity among young people in the region.

Held on March 2, 2025, the summit, dubbed Red Crossers Connect, was under the theme, "Reliving the Spirit of Service to Humanity; the Role of the Youth."

Speaking at the opening of the summit, Mr. Umar Musah Bang-bieu, the Upper West Regional Youth Representative of the GRCS, said the GRCS has since its establishment offered valuable humanitarian services that advanced people’s dignity and societal development.

“The GRCS was established in 1958 and has since played a significant role in humanitarian activities across the country from disaster response and first aid training to community health services and youth empowerment. The GRCS has been a beacon of hope to countless individuals,” he said.

He said the work of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), of which the GRCS is a national society, is underpinned by seven fundamental principles – humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary, unity, and universality.

He, however, noted that the principles of the IFRC appeared to have been fading away in society and amongst young people, for which the event was organized to retrace the values.

“In recent years, we observed a decline in youth engagement and active participation. This is why Red Crossers Connect is being held today to reignite that spirit and bring Red Crossers together once more,” he said.

He said the program was of great significance to the GRCS and humanitarian service as it sought to revive and rekindle the spirit of volunteerism among the youth, saying “Now more than ever, we [young people] must take up the mantle of responsibility and address the pressing humanitarian needs of our communities.”

He said the youth must harness the spirit of volunteerism and service to humanity in addressing the interconnected problems of climate change and conflicts that the world has faced.

On his part, the Acting Upper West Regional Manager of the GRCS, Mr. Rauf Issahaque urged participants to live by the fundamental principles and ideals of the IFRC to contribute meaningfully and selflessly to human and societal advancement.

He challenged the participants to identify ways through which they could support the founding vision of the GRCS and IFRC and as well sustain the strides made by the Society over the period.

“Yes, it is actually one man’s dream but as you are here and committed to the Service, ask yourself, ‘What can I also do, how can also offer my services to humanity,” he remarked.

The summit featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, networking sessions, and training on basic first-aid tips.

Present at the event were: Dr Zakarea Al-Hassan Balure, Optometrist and Superintendent at Bliss Eye Care; Mr. Abudi Razak, National Youth President of GRCS and Youth President of the West/Coast; Mr. Mohammed A. Alphaa, patron of NJ Ahmadiyya College’s Red Cross Club; and Mr. Ankpenuba P.N. Wisdom, patron of Wa Technical Institute’s Red Cross Club, among significant others.