The Upper West Regional Director of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Archibald Donkor, says steps are being taken to review the 2010 National Youth Policy to make it more responsive to contemporary demands of youth development.
He indicated that stakeholder consultations in connection with the review are being done. Mr. Donkor who made the announcement at a district youth forum held at Funsi in the Wa East District gave an assurance that there would be high level of youth participation and involvement in the review process.
He added, “there has been a paradigm shift in the operations of NYA thereby placing much emphasis on monitoring to ensure our operatives do not relent in their efforts and also to avoid wastage.”
Mr. Donkor reminded the youth that their energy and educational levels place them in a strategic position to be peace ambassadors, especially in this election year.
The District Coordinating Director (DCD) for Wa East, Crispin Kaaranwo Yango, was very grateful to Plan Ghana and NYA for their collaboration to educate the youth on the necessity for them to be part of the youth participate and lead project.
He warned young people to eschew behaviors that can endanger their development as responsible citizens.
Mr. Yango stated that the Wa East District Assembly is strenuously playing its part in molding the future of the youth.
The DCD stated that the youth with exemplary attitudes have to be identified and commended for their roles in the development of the nation in order to further motivate them to be active participants our developmental pursuits.
The Acting Wa East District Director of NYA, Iddrisu Moomin identified unemployment, under-employment, teenage pregnancy, child marriage, crime and deviant behaviors, limited sports and recreational facilities as some of the challenges facing the youth.
Mr. Moomin pointed out that the size, energy, enthusiasm, innovation and dynamism of the youth should be considered as valuable assets that “can be harnessed through appropriate policies for the development of Wa East District”.
Touching on youth empowerment interventions for 2018/2019 academic year, the Wa East District Statistical Officer, Abubakari Zangadaa Sumaila said the District Directorate of Education in partnership with others especially, the District Assembly has instituted a number of activities and programs to help young people to succeed in line with the education sector strategic plan for 2010-2020 as well as the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Mr. Sumaila indicated that as part of the strategy, young people have been appointed to management positions whilst 20% of the staff at the Education Directorate in the District are young people. Right age enrolment campaign is also part of the initiative.
A Midwife at the Funsi Health Centre, Madam Sophia Donkor entreated parents to uphold their responsibilities to their children and make sure that the girl-child is well supported to prevent teenage pregnancy.
She advised teenagers who get pregnant not to feel shy but to make it a point to attend antenatal clinic to help avoid complications during delivery. Madam Donkor also admonished young people against unsafe abortion.
Story by Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo
