Youth deliberate on draft youth policy

Cape Coast, Jan 22, GNA- The Central Regional Coordinator of the National Youth Council (NYC), Mr William Atikese, on Thursday said the empowerment of the youth required concerted efforts and should be seen as a responsibility for all stakeholders.

He said youth empowerment is based on the belief that young people are the best resource for promoting development and must therefore be both "architects and agents" in meeting challenges confronting them. Mr Atikese made the call at a forum for various youth groups in the region such as the students representative councils of the University of Cape Coast and the Cape Coast Polytechnic to deliberate on the draft ''National Youth Policy.''

It was to enable the participants make inputs to the proposals in the 14-page draft document that is aimed at addressing the challenges confronting the youth, to facilitate national development.

The proposals included the establishment of a youth fund, leadership training and skills institutes and community services. Mr Atikese appealed to "key stakeholders" like the media, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and educational and other institutions to collaborate with the government to ensure the successful implementation of the policy.

Mr Paul Djan, the Regional Population Officer, expressed regret that Ghanaians have the tendency to "write fine policies without having them implemented", and hoped the draft youth policy would be fully implemented.

He urged the youth to study the document and come out with proposals that would be of immense benefit to them.