The National Youth Authority ( NYA) in the Asunafo North Municipality of the Ahafo region has inaugurated The Youth Parliament in Goaso under the theme, “The Nation’s desired development, the role of the Youth” at the Asunafo North municipal Assembly hall.
The Youth parliament is to provide the youth with an official platform where young persons will learn how to express their views, give constructive criticism and to participate effectively in decision making process on various developmental issues at the local level.
The ceremony brought together seventy – four ( 74) youth parliamentarians within the municipality, members of the clergy, civil society organisations, youth groups, the press, members of the Asunafo north municipal Assembly, students from selected Senior and Junior high schools, Goaso college of Nursing and Midwifery, GES, leaders of political parties and officials of the national Youth Authority.
The Asunafo north Municipal acting director for the National Youth Authority Comfort Donko said the youth Parliament is a non – partisan concept by the National Youth Authority to provide the youth with a platform to engage with stakeholders on matters of importance to youth development and to hold duty bearers accountable at the district, regional and national levels.
” this is a new initiative in the municipality so i am appealing to individuals and institutions far and near to come to support us financially. This will help us effectively in the realisation of our dreams “. She added.
Inaugurating the youth Parliament, the regional Accountant for the National Youth Authority Nabila Alhasan said the 2020 youth policy of the authority acknowledges the participation of youth in governance and democracy with the objective of inculcating democratic values and principles for their active participation in decision making.
According to Mr Nabila, the youth Parliament will promote accountability and transparency among community leaders, heads of governmental departments and other stakeholders of community development adding, ” it is also a platform for good rapport, social networking among the youth in all levels”.
Mr Nabila charged the parliamentarians to conduct themselves creditably devoid of personal or groups interest since this local initiative is a model for the establishment of west African Youth Parliament and African Youth Parliament by 2030 and 2040 respectively. ” I am encouraging our friends from the media to help in the publicity to enhance the sustainability of this initiative “. He appealed.
The Youth parliamentarians were made to swear the Oath of allegiance and the Oath of membership. The house debated between the majority and minority caucuses on the motion, ” The Nation’s development should be executed by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC ) plan instead of party’s manifesto” during the first sitting of the first session of the first Parliament of the municipality.
In a message delivered on behalf of the Ahafo Regional minister and member of parliament for Asunafo north Evans Opoku Bobie, a member of staff of the Ahafo Regional coordinating council ( RCC) Kumah Abrefa lauded the in – depth knowledge on issues and prowess of the Youth during the debate and encouraged the young parliamentarians to learn more to do more.
Mr. Kumah admonished the Youth of Ahafo to do away with all forms of violence as the general elections approach. He said there cannot be development in any country without peace and stability. He urged the Youth of Ahafo region to reject any violent and trouble – making appeal by political party leaders.
” I will say you must do issues – based campaign in the run out to the 2020 parliamentary and presidential elections”. Campaign peacefully, go and vote peacefully and jubilate peacefully after the declaration of results to ensure smooth operation of the electoral process”. He appealed
The parliamentary candidate (PC) for the National Democratic Congress ( NDC) for the Asunafo north constituency Haruna Mohammed lauded the concept of the Youth Parliament and urged the Youth parliamentarians to not give up no matter the challenges but must pursue the development agenda of the Asunafo north municipality.
Mr. Mohammed added, ” you can use the Youth Parliament platform prudently without partisan interest to enable Goaso and Ahafo region to develop. This will help you to become good future leaders. You must also desist from violent acts ahead of the December polls. It is God who promote”.
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