NYC TO PROMOTE DIALOGUE AMONG RCCs AND YOUTH (PAGE 20)

THE National Youth Council (NYC) intends to create forums for consultations and dialogue in all the ten regions of the country.
The forums, which would be between the Regional Co-ordinating Councils (RCCs) and the Federation of Youth Associations of Ghana (FEDYAG), would enable them to share knowledge on the implementation of the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The Upper West Regional Youth Co-ordinator, Mr Mumuni Suleimana, announced this at a dialogue meeting among the RCCs, the district assemblies and various youth groups in Wa.
The key objectives of the meeting were to promote peer-led, community-driven development initiatives and create information sharing opportunities for the participants to enable the youth to make well-informed choices and decisions.
Mr Suleimana said in spite of the fact that the youth constituted 45 per cent of the country's population, there were inadequate structures in place for effective youth participation in the implementation of national development policies.
"More so, there is little encouragement on the part of government gatekeepers to consult the youth on matters affecting them, especially in poverty reduction strategy efforts," he observed.
Mr Suleimana was therefore hopeful that the meeting would go a long way to generate a high sense of partnership in the national development process.
On the forthcoming general election, he urged youth groups in the region to remain steadfast and not to fall prey to dirty tricks of some politicians.
For his part, the Regional Co-ordinating Director, Mr David Yakubu, called on district assemblies to show more commitment to youth activities.
He commended the NYC for organising the meeting, since it would sensitise the youth to government policies and programmes.