FOSDAS urges MMDAs to do more for youth

The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) has called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to take deliberate steps to enhance youth development and youth participation in Local governance.

A statement issued by Mrs Theodora Williams Anti FOSDA Programmes Officer and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday said, a recent baseline study on youth participation in Local Governance conducted in collaboration with the Institute of local Government Studies indicate that the youth of Ghana feel left out in decisions and policies that concern them and their communities.

The report also indicates that most districts and municipal assemblies do not have youth specific programmes, policies and structures to address the specific needs of the youth.

According to the Executive Director of FOSDA, Ms. Afi Yakubu, Ghana must make more efforts to benefit from its youthful population and these efforts must start at the local levels, “otherwise too many young men and women are left out of the development process”.

She said the outcome of this phenomenon is a feeling of marginalization and discontentment among the youth which threatens the peace and security of the country.

FOSDA, in collaboration with the Institute of Local Government Studies, is therefore organising a two day national youth forum to create a platform for the youth to discuss and make recommendations on youth participation and development at the local level.

The forum is scheduled for November 19-20, 2014 at the Institute of Local Government Studies in Accra.

It will afford most the participants a first time opportunity to interact with Ministers of State and other critical stakeholders.