Tamale NGO making impact in the north

Some youth groups in 10 districts of the Northern Region have gained access to participating effectively in decision making to improve good governance in their assemblies.

Through the effort of the Youth Empowerment for Life (YEfL), Tamale based non-governmental organization, in 2010 established some youth centres in each of the districts where youth groups meet to share ideas and initiate self-help projects to address challenges in their communities.

Mr Abdul Rahaman Alhassan, Center Volunteer of Savelugu Youth Center (SYC), speaking in an interview with the GNA on Monday said the advocacy of the youth compelled the contractor to execute the Savelugu-Kuligalali road project professionally and prevented avoided shoddy work.

“When the project started initially the youth observed that the road was too narrow so we approached the assembly and suggested the need for the road to be expanded, which the Assembly agreed and asked the contractor to expand the road”, he said.

Mr Alhassan said some eight less privileged ladies were also supported to acquire skills in computer, electrical installation, carpentry and building and construction through the Gender Responsive Skills under the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection.

“Currently the chief of Savelugu has given us two plots of land to build a youth center due to the groups’ vibrant activities”, he said. Mr Alhassan said the center played a major role in promoting peace in the communities during the 2012 elections as well as during the Supreme Court election petition.

Mrs Vera Jawol Magan, Programme Officer of YEfL, said her outfit had facilitated the activities of these youth groups. “Throughout these years YEfL has consistently empowered these groups to be articulate, more confident and has linked them up to the relevant stakeholders,” she said.

Mrs Magan said due to the effectiveness of the Saboba youth group, the World Vision had partnered YEfL to implement some activities including reproductive health education as well as guidance counseling to reduce the high rate of pregnancies among the Junior High School students.