Ghanaian legislator Joycelyn Tetteh Quashie has played a key role in shaping a global parliamentary agenda on human rights, justice and dignity at the 12th IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The Member of Parliament for North Dayi was entrusted with serving as Co-Rapporteur for the Conference Outcome Document, alongside Senator Alisher Sadullaev of Uzbekistan, following deliberations involving about 100 young parliamentarians from 50 countries.
The assignment placed Ms.Tetteh Quashie at the centre of efforts to capture the concerns, priorities and commitments of young legislators and translate them into a shared parliamentary agenda.
Presenting the Outcome Document, she highlighted the devastating consequences of conflicts on young people and women, stressing the need to protect access to education, healthcare and livelihoods while strengthening parliamentary commitment to international humanitarian and human rights law.
She also drew attention to emerging threats in the digital space, arguing that technology should serve as a tool for empowerment, opportunity and inclusion, rather than become a vehicle for violating people’s rights.
The young parliamentarians consequently called for stronger protection against online violence and harassment, greater accountability for technology platforms and improved digital literacy.
Climate change also featured prominently in the deliberations, with participants stressing that a safe and healthy environment should be treated as a present-day right rather than a promise for future generations.
Ms. Tetteh Quashie advocated meaningful youth participation in climate decision-making, with intergenerational justice remaining central to efforts to address the climate crisis.
The conference further examined youth participation in politics, violence against women in politics, threats against parliamentarians, decent work, skills development and parliamentary action towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
For Ms. Tetteh Quashie, the conference represented an opportunity not only to participate in a global conversation but also to ensure that Ghana’s voice was heard in shaping the priorities of young parliamentarians worldwide.
She said the responsibility now was for participants to return to their respective parliaments and translate the commitments reached in Samarkand into meaningful action.
The Ghanaian legislator expressed gratitude to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Parliament of Uzbekistan and the Bureau of Young Parliamentarians for the opportunity to serve in the leadership role.
Her participation reinforces the growing role of young parliamentarians in shaping conversations around human rights, sustainable development, digital governance, climate action and inclusive political participation.
“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.
