Youth must show interest in budgetary issues - Survey

Accra, June 24, GNA - A base line survey report conducted by Youth Bridge Foundation, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) in 2009 indicated that the youth had not shown interest in Ghana's budgetary issues. The survey, which sampled about 260 respondents between 15-35 years in Kumasi and Accra Metropolitan areas, revealed that about 37 per cent of them were not aware that the national budget had been read.

It said 56 per cent were aware that the budget had been read while seven per cent were not sure it had been read.

Speaking at the launch of an Economic Literacy Project to build capacity of selected youth in the southern zone of the country on budgetary related issues, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning described the report as alarming.

The workshop dubbed "Bridging Economic Literacy Gap for Youth and National Development" sought to equip about 30 participants selected from youth organisations and the media with knowledge of components of the budget and provisions for the youth in the 2010 National Budget Statement. It is expected to enlighten the participants on budget planning to enable them educate their peers.

Dr Duffour noted that the scenario was unacceptable and did not augur well for the nation since the youth were the future leaders and needed to be abreast with issues of national concern.

"The future of this country belongs to the youth so it is imperative that we show much interest and commitment to understand the budgetary processes of government to enable us make significant inputs to the preparation of the national budget," he said.

Dr Duffour noted that it was disheartening to know that about 60 per cent of the respondents did not recognize the use and relevance of the budget to improve their living standards.

He said as part of efforts to get the youth involved in national issues, government was focusing on social sector policies embodied in the "Better Ghana Agenda" that would lead to a sustainable job creation. Dr Duffour called on the youth to be creative and committed to excellence to be able to play their rightful role and contribute meaningfully to national development.

Mr Seth Oteng, Executive Director of Youth Bridge Foundation, said the workshop was the first phase of lined up national projects to encourage the youth to participate in governance and related issues. He said the foundation would organise a similar workshop for the Northern Zone.