Adenta Chief Imam marks World Youth Skills Day

The Adenta Municipal Chief Imam, Sheikh Mohammed Mutawakil, hosted a forum for youth in the Adenta Municipality to emphasize the importance of acquiring skills.

Held on July 15, 2024, the forum was part of the World Youth Skills Day celebrations, a global initiative recognized by the United Nations to empower young people through skills training. This event aligned with the Chief Imam's ongoing commitment to youth empowerment and development through skills training and entrepreneurship.

The forum aimed to encourage Muslim youth in Adenta to engage in productive activities, particularly skill development, to create decent jobs and avoid activities that could lead to trouble. The well-attended and vibrant event took place at the Center for Crowns of Light, under the theme “Youth Skills for Peace and Development.”

World Youth Skills Day highlights the critical importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. The forum brought together youth and various professionals to share their expertise and inspire attendees.

Resource persons included representatives from the Ghana Prison Service, Ghana TVET Service, and Islamic scholars. They educated and inspired the youth, encouraging those without skills to enroll in training programs.

Ibrahim Yusif Osman, Northern Regional Coordinator of the Ghana TVET Voucher Project, discussed opportunities for youth to enhance their skills and obtain certifications. He encouraged participation in TVET programs and highlighted the Ghana Job and Skill Training Apprenticeship Programme as a pathway to self-employment.

Engineer Adam Issah, Manager of Civil Maintenance and Electrical Services at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), urged the youth to join the Youth in Innovation and Electrical Engineering Program. He outlined various courses offered at the ECG training center, including solar energy, electromechanical energy, air conditioning, and electrical installation. These courses are available for WASSCE, diploma, and degree holders.

Imam ADP Mohammed Mukhtar Adam, National Imam of the Ghana Prison Service, expressed concern over the high number of productive youth incarcerated for various offenses. He urged the youth to avoid behaviors that could lead to imprisonment and to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the World Youth Skills Day forum.

In his address, Sheikh Mohammed Mutawakil emphasized that developing youth skills is essential. He noted that technology and globalization are reshaping societies, and the skills imparted to young people determine their future and that of their communities. He highlighted that youth are the backbone of any nation, possessing the energy, creativity, and potential to drive progress.

Sheikh Mutawakil urged stakeholders to collaborate in nurturing the talents and dreams of young people, providing them with the necessary tools and opportunities. He emphasized that the future of communities and the world depends on the empowerment of youth.

Regarding peace ahead of upcoming elections, Sheikh Mutawakil stressed that peace is fundamental to survival and development. He called on Muslim youth to act as ambassadors of peace, noting that Zongos are often mischaracterized as violent zones. He encouraged Muslims to change this narrative and reject violence, advocating for peaceful resolutions through community leadership, government agencies, and public pressure.

"Let peace guide our religious differences, families, communities, and politics. There is no substitute for peace; let us cherish and uphold it," he concluded.