The President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama in his efforts to encourage youth participation in decision making, has urged the youth not to hesitate to share their ideas on issues of national concern. Quoted as saying, “get involved and get your voices heard”, the President made this call in a speech read on his behalf at the commemoration of the 2015 International Youth Day at Elmina.
Elaborating on the theme; “Youth and Civic Engagement”, the Minister for Youth and Sports, Dr. Mustapha Ahmed said the government is committed to the development of the youth in the country, adding that young people are central to the development agenda. He cited the Youth Enterprise Support Fund as one of the many initiatives the government has established to address the concerns and unemployment situations of the youth. He however, emphasized the need for young people themselves to develop and/or take up initiatives, to get involved and be responsive to their communities.
This message to the youth was also emphasized by Mr. Ras Mubarak, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority when he challenged young people to speak up and also participate in all interventions geared towards the economic transformation of the nation.
In his welcome address, the Central Regional Minister Aquinas Tawiah Quansah commended the Chiefs and people of Edina Traditional Area, especially the Omanhene Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, for their continued willingness to host important national functions, and cited it as an indication of the commitment of the chiefs and people of the KEEA Municipality to promote national development.
The Minister also applauded the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for supporting urgent and critical development interventions in the Central Region since the year 2000. These interventions he said range from efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality, promoting family planning, campaigns to end teenage pregnancy and domestic violence as well as promoting quality adolescent sexual and reproductive health. The Minister promised to ensure that the multi-media and youth service delivery center being established by Abrem Agona community in the municipality with support from UNFPA to empower the youth is fully operational. He charged community members and the Municipal Assembly to ensure that the equipment worth over US$50,000 is well managed and maintained to deliver continuous services as planned.
On his part, the UNFPA Representative in Ghana, Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi emphasized that young people aged 10-24 make up about a third of the total population of Ghana, making it critical for them to be enabled to participate meaningfully in decision making. He cautioned that not doing so will amount to a failure of the democratic process and a waste of human capital required for accelerating the country’s quest for rapid economic growth and social development. Dr. Ahonsi re-iterated that UNFPA remains committed to advocating for investments in young people in Ghana, in order for the country to reap the demographic dividend. According to him, the dividend accrues from empowering, supporting, educating and creating employment for young people today so as to gain the benefits at a later period when they are able to produce more than they require. Touching on other very important needs the UNFPA Representative said: ‘Young people also need protection from violence, and they have a right to access essential health services, including care for their sexual and reproductive health. Dr. Ahonsi therefore called on Government as well as everyone in authority to ensure young people are brought to the tables where important decisions that affect them and the larger society are made.
As part of the Youth Day celebrations, a health outreach which attracted about 1,500 residents was organized for the people of Nyinasin and Elmina. The outreach activities were made possible and carried out by the United Nations Information Center and Francis Eshun Baidoo (FEB) Foundation, a health NGO. FEB Foundation rallied health professionals who volunteered to provide free health service to the two communities.
