Abdul-Rahman Yakubu serves as the Youth Development Lead at the Elizka Relief Foundation, a prominent non-governmental organisation based in Ghana. In this capacity, Mr Yakubu is responsible for spearheading initiatives designed to empower young people, build local capacity, and foster sustainable livelihoods. His work focuses on bridging the gap between grassroots community development and technical education, ensuring that youth in rural and semi-urban areas are equipped with the skills necessary to participate in the modern green economy. By focusing on practical training and sustainable development, he helps to prepare the next generation of Ghanaian leaders to address pressing environmental and economic challenges.
A central component of Mr Yakubu’s portfolio is the management of youth development programmes, notably the initiative that trains and certifies local participants as solar technicians. Through this programme, young people learn to maintain community solar units, which in turn fosters resilient rural micro-economies and promotes renewable energy adoption. He also supports the foundation’s collaborative efforts with traditional community leadership to combat ecological degradation, such as the impacts of illegal mining, thereby linking environmental stewardship with youth empowerment. His role is instrumental in ensuring that the foundation’s field operations translate into measurable social and economic advancement for vulnerable populations.
Organisation
Founded in 2000 and officially registered in 2007, Elizka Relief Foundation is a Ghana-based non-governmental organisation dedicated to capacity building, human empowerment, and sustainable development. Headquartered at the USTED Campus in Tanoso, Kumasi, the foundation integrates research-driven field interventions—including reforestation, land reclamation, and climate-smart aquaculture—into localised policy frameworks. Elizka Relief Foundation maintains a significant global diplomatic footprint, holding Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) since 2015, alongside accredited observer status with major international bodies such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Areas of Focus
- Sustainable youth empowerment and technical vocational training.
- Renewable energy integration and rural solar micro-economies.
- Community-led environmental conservation and ecological restoration.
- The intersection of local capacity building and global green trade compliance.
At the Forum
At the International Trade Council Global Convocation & Leadership Forum, Mr Yakubu aims to engage with international trade leaders, policymakers, and sustainable development advocates. He seeks to explore partnerships that align grassroots capacity building with global supply chain standards, demonstrating how empowering local youth with green skills can support ethical sourcing and robust environmental compliance in cross-border trade.
