Secretary General of World YMCA calls on Ga Mantse

Accra, May 17, GNA - The Secretary General of World Alliance of Young Men Christian Associations (YMCAs), Reverend Johan Vilhem Eltvik, has called on the Ga Traditional Council to partner the association in the development of the youth.

Speaking during a courtesy call on the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Tawiah III and members of the Council, Rev. Eltvik said members could bring their rich experience in life and the deeper understanding of the law to bear on the YMCA's quest to deepen rule of law, good governance and democracy.

In addition, the collaboration would help to empower the youth to play their meaningful roles to promote world peace and peaceful co- existence of all peoples across the globe.

Rev. Eltvik, on his first visit to Ghana after assumption of office, lauded the quality leadership that the Ga Mantse and the Council had been offering to ensure the total development of the youth in acquisition of vocational skills.

He commended the Ga Mantse for his instrumentality, wisdom, foresight and initiative that had led to the establishment of a first class ICT Training Institute, which is running various IT courses for the youth free of charge.

About 300 students have so far graduated from the Institute. Rev. Eltvik also lauded the launch of the Education Endowment Fund in the UK recently to make education accessible to all Gas from pre- school through to university and the resolve to establish a counterpart in Accra in future to meet the goals and aspirations of Gas.

Professor Emmanuel Osafo, National Chairman of Ghana YMCA, said youth development was key to ensure that the increasing number of youths to be churned out by the country's educational institutions had a decent future.

Nii Okaidja III, Gbese Mantse and Adonten of Ga State, on behalf of the Ga Mantse, expressed appreciation to Rev. Eltvik for the visit and pledged the Council's commitment to help advance the principles of YMCA.

Nii Adjetey Kraku III, Tema Mantse, on behalf of the Council, presented a symbol of the Ga State to Rev. Eltvik while the YMCA donated GH¢1,000 to the Education Endowment Fund.