World Vision Youth Advocate Calls for Greater Investment in Africa’s Future at AU Summit
By Vivian Adu, Communications Officer
As African leaders gathered in Accra for the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Health Summit, a powerful call emerged from an unexpected but important voice, the voice of a young advocate championing the rights and wellbeing of children across the continent.
Held under the theme “Advancing Justice, Equity and Universal Health Coverage: Ending AIDS, TB, Improving Maternal Health, and Addressing Endemic Non-Communicable and Neglected Tropical Diseases and Conditions in Africa,” the Summit brought together African Heads of State and Government, policymakers, development partners, civil society organisations, and youth representatives to shape Africa’s health future and accelerate progress towards the continent’s health goals by 2030.
Among those participating in media interviews on the sidelines of the Summit was Emmanuella, a World Vision Youth Advocate whose journey from a registered child in a rural community to a leading child advocate reflects the transformative power of meaningful child participation.
From the Kwaekese Community and a member of the Amazing Kids Club, Emmanuella made history in 2018 as the first female Speaker of the Afram Plains Child Parliament, where she championed issues affecting children and young people in her community.
Speaking to the media during the Summit, Emmanuella expressed her excitement at being present at a gathering where decisions affecting the future of millions of Africans were being discussed.
"I am honoured and very privileged to be here today because I feel honoured to see African leaders, stakeholders and policymakers making decisions about the continent's future," she said.
Her participation in the Summit reflects World Vision's commitment to ensuring that children and young people are not merely beneficiaries of development programmes but active contributors to discussions and decisions that shape their lives.
Emmanuella highlighted her advocacy work through World Vision's Nutrition and Child Wellbeing initiatives, including efforts focused on ending child hunger and malnutrition by 2030.
"As a young person, I have been advocating for the wellbeing of children with World Vision, and our campaign is focused on ending malnutrition and child hunger by 2030," she explained.
According to her, community-level advocacy remains central to achieving this goal. Through collaboration with World Vision and local stakeholders, young advocates engage parents, teachers, and community leaders in promoting better nutrition and child wellbeing.
"In our communities, we work together with World Vision to educate parents and teachers on ending hunger and malnutrition so that every child can be able to go to school and have a bright future," she added.
Her message resonated strongly with the Summit’s broader focus on health equity, universal health coverage, and sustainable investments in human development. While leaders discussed continental roadmaps for ending AIDS and tuberculosis, improving maternal health, and strengthening health systems, Emmanuella reminded stakeholders that lasting progress must include investment in children and young people.
She called on African leaders, development partners, and policymakers to continue working together to build a brighter future for the continent.
"I would like to encourage our African leaders, stakeholders and policymakers to continue to work together to ensure that the future of the continent is bright. The future of the continent lies in the hands of young people, and they should channel their resources and their energy into making us better people for the betterment of the continent at large,” she said.
World Vision has consistently advocated for the inclusion of children and youth in decision-making processes, recognising that meaningful participation leads to more responsive policies and sustainable development outcomes. Across Africa, the organisation works to create safe spaces and platforms where children can influence issues affecting their health, education, protection, and overall wellbeing.
Emmanuella's presence at the Summit was a testament to this commitment demonstrating how empowering young people with knowledge, confidence, and opportunities to engage can help shape conversations at the highest levels.
As Africa works towards achieving Universal Health Coverage and strengthening health systems by 2030, World Vision believes that the voices of children and young people must remain central to the conversation.
For Emmanuella, the message is simple but powerful, when young people are heard, supported, and empowered, they become active partners in building a healthier, more just, and more prosperous Africa.