The Millennium Cities Initiative (MCI) of the Earth Institute, Columbia University of New York, on Sunday handed over a renovated community youth centre to the Voice in Community Empowerment (VOiCE), a non-governmental organisation.
The building, which is the Ayawaso Community Youth Centre, was established in response to the lack of venues in the Nima, Mamobi, Kanda and Newtown area youth to create and participate in activities that are relevant to their development and recreational interests.
Mr Ahmed Mustapha Yaajalaal, Founder and Board Chairman of VOiCE said the organisation is aimed at facilitating the implementation of socio-economic and developmental projects in the Ayawaso sub-Metro area, through concerted volunteerism.
He said VOiCE was established in response to the need for more authentic, sincere and legitimised incorporation of youth and their developmental and recreational interest in the decision –making that would impact on their communities
Mr Yaajalaal said such interest includes education and skill training, community upgrading, water and sanitation, girls empowerment and support of youth recreational activities such as sports and arts.
He said the community centre is a social and recreational centre intended principally for the use by the youth to support opportunities to develop their physical, social, emotional and cognitive abilities and to experience achievement, leadership, enjoyment, friendship and recognition.
Mr Yaajalaal said VOiCE play a vital role in engaging the youth through interactions with the local authority, particularly in the implementation of programmes.
Presenting the keys to George Abagna Musah, Director of VOiCE, the Programme Manager of MCI, and Mr Joe Melara said the centre is to promote the developmental activities of the youth in the Ayawaso area.
VOiCE is a non-political, non-religious and non-profit youth organisation aim at facilitating the implementation of socio-economic and developmental projects in the Ayawaso area.
