Engage the youth in decision-making processes to engender development - Gov't told

The Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) has charged government to help identify the youth as agents of change and endeavor to engage them always in decision-making processes right from the idea generation to the implementation stage to bring about the needed development in the country.

According to him, the youth have been left behind for far too long despite their enormous inherent potentials and its about time they are focused on to cause the needed developmental change to happen.

He also called for the youth activists who are doing amazing things in their unique ways to be identified and recognized in order to help build their confidence so as to continue to contribute their quota to positively impact the society.

Mr. Wemakor made these assertions while responding to a question: "how can the young people be better empowered to know and claim their rights and be heard"?, on a program “Reporter’s Round Table” hosted by Rebecca Awuah.

The program which aired on Ghana Television on Wednesday December 12, 2019 on the theme: "The role of young people in Human Rights Activism", brought together two other panelists to share their perspectives on issues confronting the youth in order to help chart a common front and better position them to deliver as activists.

Mad. Grace Gyamfi, a staff of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), one of the panelists believes constant education of the youth is key in helping them deliver meaningfully on their activism roles.

"It's all about education, educating them not only in the classrooms, at church, in the house and elsewhere they can be reached so as to be empowered to speak up for the people whose rights are being violated."

For her part, Nuong Faalong, a journalist cum gender activist, said there should be a proper mentorship and collaboration between activists who are already on the top and the upcoming ones leading to the identification and nurturing of skills so as to well position the latter to deliver as expected.

"I also think there should be a safe spaces where people can come together and interact; listen, engage, encourage and redirect the energies that you find are damaging and at the end of the day, these are ways to encouraging the youth to positively use their energies in activism to the benefit of all".

Youth activism has reached crescendo in recent times with many youth activists at the forefront of social change across the globe.

In recent years, helped by the connective power of social media, the world has witnessed the growing force of young people fighting for and defending their rights and shaping their communities.

Currently, at the core of youth activism globally lies stalwarts such as Greta Thundberg, Nadia Murad, Autumn Peltier, Leah Namugerwa, Ridhima Pandey, Xiye Bastida and Isra Hirsi including hosts of other youth activists who are shaping the world they want despite intimidation, torture and other gross human rights abuses that stare them in face.