By Charles Chedar, GNA
Wa, Dec. 7, GNA – The youth in Upper West and a cross section of stakeholders have conducted an engagement forum to review the 2010 national youth policy, to address emerging problems affecting the youth in order to reflect current demands.
The National Youth Policy is an important document that offer general framework for government to connect the youth and stakeholders in a significantly meaningful manner to develop proper intervention and services for youth empowerment and development.
Mr Kwesi Evans Nkum, the Director for Education and Training of the National Youth Authority, said the current policy, sketched in 2010, may not reflect the present development of the youth due to time changing and societal dynamics.
He stated that it was crucial to update the data and information, and factor current development issues, both local and global, into the policy as the young were the drivers and key parties in national development.
Alhaji Abdulai Abubakar, Director of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), said given the lifespan of the policy, it was imperative to relook at the document.
He said the youth played a crucial role in the socio economic development of the country, aside they being future leaders, the youth must be taken seriously in discussing issues relating to national development.
A cursory look at the policy indicated that it should be structured in a way, he noted, to allow the youth to be able to contribute positively to national development.
According to him, review of the policy would provide an opportunity for the youth to be involved in community and national development matters.
Alhaji Abubakar said the youth as the ultimate beneficiaries of the policy, would be challenged enough to derive greatest gains from the policy, saying it would justify the youth deserve a rightful inclusion in national development and for full empowerment.
The policy objectives and strategies were realisable, he said, provided government and stakeholders remained committed to the implementation of programmes and activities of the policy.
Regional Heads of Department, the National Youth Authority, Traditional Rulers, Media, Consultants and the Youth participated in the review discussion.
GNA
DL/DSA
