Youth contribution to national
development acknowledged
Dalun (N/R), Nov. 28, GNA - Professor Abubakr
Al-Hassan, Chairman of the Ghana Developing
Communities Association (GDCA), has acknowledged the
immense contribution of the youth towards local and
national development.
He said, however, that in spite of this, the youth
were being alienated when it came to
decision-making, even on issues that affected them
directly.
The youth, he said, were contributing to the social,
economic and political development of their
households, communities, districts and the nation at
large but lamented that at homes and in the
communities they were pushed to the forefront of
conflicts, of which they had been victims.
Professor Al-Hassan made the observation at the
opening of a two-day seminar dubbed: "The Denmark
Seminar" of the GDCA, a Danish-funded NGO, at Dalun
in the Tolon/Kumbungu District.
The seminar sought to create a platform for the
young people to discuss tropical issues affecting
their overall development.
Prof. Al-Hassan urged the youth to disengage
themselves from negative acts, even in the face of
all constraints and challenges and contribute more
positively to society.
This they could do by using their talents and
energies to benefit the people to win the confidence
of the government to provide more opportunities for
them to enhance their living conditions.
"This you can do by saying no to violence and other
acts that have the tendencies of degenerating into
confusion," he said, adding: "You must work to
sustain peace and endeavour to be patriotic at all
times".
Mr. Mette Brandt, Chairperson of GV Denmark, a
Danish NGO, noted that the importance of the youth
as an active part of civil society could not be
overemphasized.
He urged the youth to learn by listening to older
and more experienced people bearing in mind their
responsibility to express their opinions and ideas
on national issues.
"Voices also matter because young people's
disposition towards citizenship tends to be durable
and participating early in life is a good predictor
of ability and willingness to engage the future", he
said.
Mr Brandt called on the governments of Ghana and
Denmark to take keen interest in building the
capacity of the youth and support them in their
contributions to set the agenda for development.
GNA
