The National Youth Authority (NYA) has hinted to revise the 2010 version of the National Youth Policy to address challenges facing the youth.
It admitted that the Authority could not work effectively and efficiently on issues with the 2010 youth policy and the revision would make sure the voices of young people reflected in the government’s final decision.
The Authority explained that in the revised 2010 National Youth Policy, a strong thematic area that would address issues of environment and climate change of concern in the policy.
Nelson Ansah, the Chief Executive Officer of the NYA, made these disclosures at a ‘Youth in Renewable Energy’ dialogue on the theme: ‘Promoting Youth in Renewable Energy Businesses-A Catalyst to Attaining Ghana’s Climate Ambitions’ in Accra.
It was organized by Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND), for young entrepreneurs in the green economy and other stakeholders to deliberate on procedures in advancing green jobs.
Mr Ansah said the Authority had identified major stakeholders that would help fashion out the revised policy to integrate it into actual policies, programmes and projects and advised that while green jobs tackle unemployment, the ordinary youth was not enthused about green economy.
“Young entrepreneurs need to contextualise issue of green business within challenges of unemployment because that is crucial to large extent, to succeed in effort of ensuring young people really understand language and ready to support, assist and need to think about sustaining efforts as finding them livelihoods.
“Young people we come across on daily basis do not really care about what they eat and buy, all they are interested in, is getting their bread and butter, for them, if you are talking about green economy and telling them the shirt you are wearing is recycled, they do not care and that is not the language you must speak to hungry young person.
Chibeze Ezekiel, the Executive Director of SYND, called on entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in the green economy and other government initiatives such as tax incentives for young entrepreneurs.
He shared various policy briefs, projects and programmes which had been developed to empower young people in the area of climate change, biodiversity, water and sanitation and energy.–citinewsroom.com
