Ghana’s two-term Member of Parliament for North Dayi, Joycelyn Tetteh Quashie, has taken on a prominent leadership role at the 12th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Ms Quashie, who is also Chair of Ghana’s Young Parliamentarians, was appointed Co-Rapporteur for the Conference Outcome Document, working alongside Senator Alisher Sadullaev of Uzbekistan.
The conference brought together about 100 young parliamentarians from 50 countries to deliberate on the theme, “Reclaiming human rights, justice and dignity in an increasingly turbulent world.”
As Co-Rapporteur, Ms Quashie played a key role in helping to develop the conference’s Outcome Document, which is expected to capture the concerns, commitments and priorities of young legislators and translate them into a shared parliamentary agenda.
Presenting the document, Ms Quashie highlighted the devastating effects of conflicts on young people and women, calling for stronger protection of education, healthcare and livelihoods.
She also stressed the responsibility of parliaments to uphold international humanitarian and human rights law while addressing emerging threats in the digital space.
“Technology must be a tool for empowerment, opportunity and inclusion, not an avenue for the violation of people’s rights,” she said, calling for stronger protection against online violence and harassment, greater accountability from technology platforms and improved digital literacy.
Ms Quashie also drew attention to climate change, describing the protection of the planet as essential to the future of humanity.
“Another critical part of our existence is a safe and healthy planet. We need to protect today for tomorrow,” she said, emphasising the need for young people to have a meaningful voice in climate-related decision-making and for intergenerational justice to remain central to global climate action.
The conference further addressed issues including youth participation in politics, protection of parliamentarians from threats and violations, violence against women in politics, decent work, skills development and parliamentary action towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ms Quashie’s leadership role provided Ghana with an opportunity to contribute to global parliamentary discussions on issues affecting young people and to influence the priorities emerging from the conference.
She stressed the importance of ensuring that Ghana’s voice was represented on the international platform.
“Human rights, justice and dignity cannot be taken for granted. They must be defended, advanced and made real in the lives of our people,” she said.
Following the conference, participating young parliamentarians are expected to take the lessons and commitments from Samarkand back to their respective legislatures and work towards translating them into concrete action.
The 2026 IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians was hosted by the Parliament of Uzbekistan and the IPU Bureau of Young Parliamentarians.
