UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
By – Prosper Adaakai
The National Youth Authority (NYA) in the Upper East Region has launched a month-long programme of activities to commemorate Youth Month, with a strong focus on youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, peacebuilding, and responsible digital citizenship. Observed throughout August, Youth Month is Ghana’s national observance aligned with International Youth Day, celebrated annually on August 12. The initiative provides a platform for young people to engage policymakers, share experiences, discuss national development issues, and contribute to policies affecting their future. Speaking to GBC URA Radio in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Director of the National Youth Authority, Francis Takyi-Koranteng, explained that the celebration recognises the invaluable contribution of young people to national development while creating opportunities for dialogue, networking, and learning. According to him, this year’s activities commenced with a regional clean-up exercise held in collaboration with stakeholders under the National Sanitation Day initiative. The exercise brought together more than 200 participants, including personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, the Narcotics Control Commission, NADMO, Environmental Health officers, local government authorities, and youth groups. The participants cleaned sections of Bolgatanga’s principal streets, the main lorry station, and other public spaces, with the Upper East Regional Minister and the Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive joining the exercise.
Mr. Takyi-Koranteng said another major component of the celebration is engaging religious leaders to help amplify messages on youth development, moral responsibility, and peaceful coexistence. He expressed concern over increasing cases of substance abuse, violence, and the misuse of social media by some young people. He urged the youth to use digital platforms responsibly by promoting positive conversations instead of spreading misinformation, engaging in cyberbullying, or attacking the reputations of others. The Regional Director also challenged young people to shift their mindset from relying solely on white-collar employment to embracing entrepreneurship and self-employment. He noted that many successful businesses were established by young entrepreneurs who identified opportunities, took calculated risks, and built sustainable enterprises.
As part of the Youth Month celebration, the Authority will continue its engagement with the Islamic community at the Bolgatanga Central Mosque before selecting delegates from the region to participate in the National Youth Conference scheduled for August 10 to 13 at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi. The conference is expected to attract about 5,000 participants from Ghana and beyond to deliberate on youth development, innovation, and national progress. The Authority will also organise regional Youth Parliament sessions, an Intergenerational Dialogue to foster stronger collaboration between young people and experienced leaders, and conclude the month with an anti-substance abuse campaign dubbed “Red Means Talk.” Mr. Takyi-Koranteng said the campaign seeks to educate young people on the dangers of drug and substance abuse and encourage them to make healthy choices that will positively shape their future. He called on young people across the Upper East Region to actively participate in the Youth Month activities, describing the celebration as an opportunity to inspire leadership, innovation, volunteerism, and responsible citizenship among Ghana’s youth.
Source – gbcuraonline.com
