The Council of the Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) of Ghana has adopted a gender policy to be implemented by the National Executive Committee of the Association.

The policy seeks to empower young people to appreciate gender related issues, become gender sensitive and mainstream gender into its planned activities.

The council made the adoption at the 19th Quadrennial Council Meeting in Accra at the weekend.

The event was to deliberate on the way forward of the Association and also elect new leaders to serve in various leadership capacities for the years ahead.

Mr. Kwabena Nketia Addae, National General Secretary of YMCA, said the policy would also strengthen the role women play in the development of the Association.

He said as part of efforts to impact positively on the lives of the youth, management has planned a five-year intervention program to start from 2012-2016 and that the goal was to introduce and implement contemporary and innovative programmes that address the current and future socio-economic needs of the young people.

Mr. Addae said a mix strategy shall be adopted to achieve these goals including capacity building programmes and grooming for young people in leadership, business and livelihood skills.

He said it would also expose young people to useful learning experience with extensive media coverage to young people and policy makers.

Mr. Addae said the YMCA was in partnership with the Ghallywood Film Academy to offer admission to about 40 YMCA members interested in photography, video and film editing and playwriting.

Mr. Kwame Gyimah-Akwafo, National President of YMCA, urged stakeholders to be determined to move past the issues that bedeviled the commitment and practice of members.

He called on members to be Ambassadors of peace before, during and after the 2012 elections.

Venerable Edmund Mensah Tetteh, Archdeacon of Accra West of the Anglican Diocese of Accra, called on council members to take effective decision that would impact positively on the development of the youth.

The Ghana YMCA traces its history to 1890 when a young Gold Coaster, Wilkins Micaber Abbey, who had come into contact with the Association in Scotland during his study tour to Europe, brought it to the Gold Coast.

It has spread to many cities, towns and villages in the country and are engaging many Ghanaians in meaningful pastimes, volunteer services and community animation.**