The New Juaben South Youth Parliament (NJSYP) has successfully held a parliamentary sitting focused on the crucial issue of youth participation in decision-making.
In collaboration with STAR-Ghana Foundation and Fondation Botnar, the Youth parliament unveiled the “Koforidua Youth Manifesto,” a document outlining the youth’s visions and aspirations to guide political leaders.
The Manifesto touches on both infrastructural needs, policy interventions to address challenges of the youth and job creation opportunities.
At the Youth Parliament sitting, a spirited debate between the Majority and Minority caucuses on the motion advocating for increased youth involvement in decision-making processes was held .
After thorough deliberation, majority voted in favor, stressing the importance of allowing young people to actively participate in shaping their future.
Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Asare, Speaker of the Youth Parliament, noted the significant rise in youth activism due to the STAR-Ghana Kofkro Project.
“When I walk through the streets of the municipality and look into the eyes of the young people, I see hope, I see resilience, I see determination. I believe these young people will contribute towards the development of Mother Koforidua as well as Mother Ghana,” Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Asare stated.
He emphasized the project’s role in uniting the youth and fostering their involvement in governance.
“The STAR-Ghana Kofkro Project has brought together many youths within the municipality, enabling them to know each other and participate in governance and decision-making. Through this initiative, the New Juaben South Youth Parliament, together with other youth groups, has embarked on several projects such as youth capacity building, community-wide education on youth involvement in governance, a radio campaign tour on violent-free elections, stakeholder engagement, and many more activities that we are yet to witness,” Asare added.
Despite the progress made, Rt. Hon. Asare acknowledged the need for greater inclusion of youth in formal decision-making processes. “There remains a substantial gap in youth inclusion in formal decision-making processes. Let me use this opportunity to bring this to your attention to help us address this gap and create platforms like Youth Parliament and other youth policies that empower young people to contribute meaningfully to the decisions that affect our lives and the communities we live in,” he urged.
Chief of Akwadum, Nana Owusu Agyare II, commended the initiative, adding his voice to the call for greater youth involvement in decision-making.
The youth parliament concept, an initiative by the National Youth Authority (NYA), aims to provide a structured platform at the district, regional, and national levels for youth to deliberate on matters crucial to their development.
The unveiling of the “Koforidua Youth Manifesto” and the subsequent parliamentary debate mark a significant step toward empowering young voices in governance and promoting inclusive leadership in Koforidua.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
