Create enabling environment for youth participation in governance – GLOMEF
The Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF), an NGO, has called on government and development agents to create an enabling environment for the youth to participate fully in the governance and development initiatives of the country.
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO)of GLOMEF,Mr Godlove Ahenu who made the call noted that for Ghana to achieve its full potential regarding policy and investments, the views and concerns of the youth must be factored in at the decision-making process.
Mr Ahenu said this during the launch of the Resilient City for Adolescents project being undertaken by GLOMEF recently at Sunyani in the Bono Region.
The project aimed at equipping the youth with relevant skills and knowledge to enable them to participate adequately in governance and development initiatives of the country.
The three-year project being funded at the cost of 300,000 pounds by the Botnar foundation through the support of Ecorys UK, GLOMEF and its primary partners.
They include Indigenous Women Empowerment Network, Citizens Watch Ghana,and Ghana Health Service.
As part of the project 30 adolescents would receive training on Adolescent reproductive health,while 50 others would also be trained in Information technology for their future employment among others.
It is expected that 1500 youth and adolescents would benefit directly and 3000 more are expected to experience the positive impact of the project within the period.
Mr.Ahenu said the project adopts a three-pronged approach which involves identifying and addressing adolescents’ needs both social and economic; ensuring their inclusion and participation in city-level planning and development among others.
The Nkwankwahene of the Sunyani Traditional Council Nana Kwame Baa Nyantekyi who launched the project urged the participants to take full advantage of the programme to better their lot.
He also urged them to desist from engaging in tendencies such as smoking, alcoholism and prostitution which he said are very common phenomenon among the youth so as not to derail their future potentials.
FROM DANIEL DZIRASAH, ABESIM.
