The National Youth Authority (NYA) in the Upper West Region has inaugurated a Youth Parliament in the Wa West District to facilitate mobilisation of young men and women towards good governance and faster development.
The 30-member House comprised 17 Majority members representing 55 per cent, while the Minority side made of 13 representations translating into 45 per cent with Adams Sabogu appointed Speaker of the Wa West Youth Parliament.
The Youth Parliament is a crucial house, which sought to establish sustainable relationship between youth groups and governance structures in decision-making process, champion the interest of the youth and advocate better development outcomes.
The House, known as Wa West Youth Parliament, was tasked to address critical issues like drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, security matters, falling standards of education, and many others that undermined their growth and development.
Mumuni Sulemana, the Director of Programmes and Operations of NYA, launching the Parliament in Wechiau, urged the members to bury their political colours as the platform was a non-partisan legal weapon to ‘fight’ for development in the district.
“You are representing the youth and the voiceless, you might fight for their interests in a diplomatic manner, I advise you to raise and discuss issues devoid of partisan political opinions or insinuations, but solely base your contributions on facts to ensure successful deliberations.
Archibald Donkor, the Upper West Regional Director of NYA, said the Youth Authority would be looking forward to witnessing contributions of brilliant ideas that would bring to bear on local development and governance.
He appealed to stakeholders and traditional authorities to support the youth to ensure their efforts bore good fruits that would be leveraged on the district and pointed out that “the concept of youth parliament is created to enhance youth participation in the governance process at the local level, which seeks to encourage the youth to contribute towards discussions and decision-making”. –GNA
