Youth director calls for gov’t support

The National Youth Policy (NYP) would not achieve its objectives without adequate funding from the government, Mr Bright Asare, the Greater Accra Regional Youth Director, of the National Youth Authority (NYA) has said.

“Therefore, for the Government to succeed extensively in the area of the Ghanaian youth, the NYP must be given the needed attention in terms of funding,” Mr Asare said in Accra, at a ceremony, organised by the NYA and the Adentan Municipal Assembly (AdMA), to mark the International Youth Day.

He noted that many policies that had been implemented without adequate funding had all failed.

He said the NYP, which was launched in 2011 to provide opportunity for the Government to engage the youth and other stakeholders in a meaningful partnership to develop appropriate interventions, and services for youth empowerment, was not yielding any positive results.

“Adequate financing of the NYP will also serve as a motivational factor for the youth to accept it with all seriousness for their empowerment,” he said.

Mr Asare, however, advised the youth to take their education seriously to be able to make informed choices.

Speaking on the theme, “Youth Civic Engagement”, Mr Benjamin Barosson Angenu, the Municipal Chief Executive, AdMA, advised the youth to adopt positive lifestyles to create an enabling environment for their future.

“Change your lifestyles and serve as agents of change worthy of emulation,” he advised.

Mr Barosson Angenu urged the youth to develop an interest in acquiring entrepreneurial skills to support their future instead of waiting on the Government for employment.

He also challenged the NYA to be prepared to give out resources to support the youth.

The ceremony was to educate, counsel, sensitise and engage the youth in the community.

Awards were given to groups and individuals for their roles and support to the community over the years.

They were urged to deepen those roles that promoted development in the community.

A free health screening exercise was also held for the youth of the community.

The International Youth Day is an awareness day designated by the United Nations.

The purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues related to the youth. The first IYD was observed on 12 August, 2000.