Traditional authorities, youth to collaborate in East Gonja

Choice Ghana, an NGO, has embarked on a project to promote effective engagement and collaboration between the traditional authorities and the youth in the East Gonja District (EGDA) of the Northern Region.

The project dubbed: “Promoting effective collaboration between traditional authorities and the youth to facilitate the course of community development”, formed part of the Mwananchi Ghana Programme, which is coordinated by Participatory Development Associates with funding from the Overseas Development Institute.

Its aim is to encourage youth-led initiative to promote dialogue and transparent information dissemination between traditional authorities, youth and the community at large to ensure that all are involved in the planning and decision making processes for the development of the district.

Mr Mohammed Seidu, Executive Director of Choice Ghana, announced this at a media briefing at Salaga, the capital of the EGDA on Friday, saying the project became necessary in view of the fact that there was a disconnect between the traditional authorities and the youth, which often retarded the development of the district.

Mr Seidu said the crux of the project “is to harness the power and authority of the traditional rulers and the energy, ideas and social capital of the youth through information and communication to tackle our development challenges”.

He said 'Choice Ghana' would effectively document and package the good practices of the project and replicate it in other districts of the region.

Mr Alhassan Mumuni, District Chief Executive for East Gonja, commended Choice Ghana for the project and pledged the assembly’s continued support towards its success.

He called on all to embrace peace and unity for the rapid development of the district.**