The National Youth Authority (NYA) in the Upper West Region has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing to make youth empowerment the cornerstone of holistic youth development and regional transformation.
The Upper West Regional Director of the NYA, Madam Vida Addi reaffirmed this commitment in an interview with Info Radio when she passed her New Year message to the youth of the region.
“As we step into a brand new year, I want to remind you that you hold the power to shape your future and that of our beloved region,” she said.
She highlighted the energy, creativity, and resilience of the youth as essential ingredients for growth and development in the region. She encouraged the youth to dream big and chase passion by embracing innovation and entrepreneurship.
Madam Addi emphasized the importance of advocacy and action, urging young people to, “Advocate for your right as the youth of the region and the development of our region. Remember, you are the leaders of tomorrow, and the future is in your hands to create.”
She reassured the youth of continued support in critical areas such as education, adolescent reproductive health, and skills development, particularly aimed at reducing child marriage, teenage pregnancies, and substance abuse.
“We also want to empower the youth in the area of agriculture and skill training, especially the female youth. Through this, I believe that we will reduce youth unemployment and poverty in our region,” she added.
Felix Wurah, the Wa Municipal Director of the NYA, on his part, emphasized the need to enhance youth participation in governance and decision-making processes.
“We know young people are vulnerable when it comes to decision making, be that at the community level or the district level. So, we see how we’ve organized our youth groups.
“Our Municipal Youth Parliament is very key to the National Youth Authority, and this year, we’ll organize the Youth Parliament to create a platform for young people to engage in decision-making processes.”
Mr Wurah also outlined plans for career development programs, including mentorship and career guidance for students, to help address a gap in educational systems that often leaves youth without clear career trajectories.
Further to support job seekers, he said, “I’ve also established a curriculum or CV desk in my office. Any young person that wants to organize your CV can come to the National Youth Authority office, and we will guide you to be competitive in the job market.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Wurah expressed concern over the alarming trend of young people misusing substances, including energy drinks mixed with harmful concoctions, which often lead to broader social problems.
“We will engage schools and communities, sensitizing them about the negative effects of substance abuse and the consequences they can face when they indulge in it,” he hinted.
The NYA is a statutory public organization with the mandate to coordinate and facilitate youth empowerment activities in Ghana.
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