Youth volunteerism needed for national dev't

The Brong Ahafo Regional Youth Coordinator, Mr. Kwabena Afena Sam,has described youth volunteerism as an indispensable tool for accelerated development in every nation, particularly, a developing country like Ghana.

Mr. Sam said it was unfortunate that youth from other countries were willing to undertake voluntary services in Ghana, while most Ghanaian youth shirked the responsibility of engaging in voluntary services to support development initiatives in their communities.

The Regional Youth Coordinator made the observation at the opening ceremony of the 2011 Youth Volunteering Work Camp at Nsawkaw in the Tain District, under the theme, 'Bettering the Youth for Better Ghana.'

Mr. Sam cited many instances where youth volunteerism had in the past, contributed immensely to nation building, and underscored the need to rekindle the dying spirit of youth volunteerism in the country.

'We must die a little for Mother Ghana,' he said, noting that imbibing the spirit of volunteerism and patriotism in the youth was one sure way of helping to achieve the government's 'Better Ghana' agenda.

Available statistics, according to him, indicate that the youth constitute over 30% of the total population of Ghana, stressing the need to empower them to take up the challenge to contribute in accelerating national development.

Mr. Sam disclosed that the participants of youth volunteering work camps would be recognised and given certificates of participation, which would warrant them the opportunity to be nominated, and possibly, sponsored to take part in international youth volunteering work camps, when such opportunities are available.

The Tain District Coordinating Director, Mr. Peter M. Maala, noted that such volunteering work camps trained participants to be honest and ethical leaders who develop the right attitudes to life.