Sunyani MCE calls for stronger support systems for adolescents

The Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Vincent Antwi Agyei, has called for renewed community commitment to adolescent development, urging young people to remain focused on their education and future while encouraging stakeholders to nurture, guide, and empower them.

Addressing the maiden edition of the Adolescent Conference on Well-being and Ending Child Labour, held at the Sunyani Technical University auditorium, the MCE commended the Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF) and its partners for their dedication to youth development.

“It is not easy to bring stakeholders together for such an important initiative. What Mr. Ralph (the CEO of GLoMeF) and his team are doing is commendable and inspiring,” he said.

He added that in modern society, people are often preoccupied with their personal needs, diminishing the communal support that traditionally strengthened Ghanaian communities.

Mr. Antwi Agyei further encouraged adolescents to remain disciplined, take their education seriously, and avoid negative peer pressure, drawing from his own experiences growing up in Sunyani.

“Some of my friends were brilliant and came from good homes, but because of bad company, they deviated from the path of success. You must decide who you want to become and stay focused,” he advised.

He urged the young participants to respect teachers, parents, and mentors, adding that their choices today would determine their future.

Commitment to adolescent development
He commended GLOMEF and its partners for providing a platform for young people to express their concerns, share experiences, and propose solutions to issues affecting their lives.

He stated that the conference theme, “Empowering Adolescents, Securing Our Future,” reflects an undeniable truth, that the strength of any community is closely tied to the opportunities and protection offered to its young people.

The MCE announced plans by the Sunyani Municipal Assembly to construct 3-unit classroom block each at Yawhima African Faith basic school and Yameri, a 2-unit KG block at Tanoano, a new health centre at Baakoniaba and some water projects across the municipality.

He indicated that construction will begin next week, with official invitations extended to partners to witness the projects.

He expressed confidence that stakeholders at the conference would gain a clearer understanding of priority issues affecting adolescents, improved awareness of child labour, and stronger community commitments toward youth protection.

“When we invest in the well-being of adolescents, we secure the future of our region and nation,” he concluded, officially declaring the first-ever Adolescent Conference in Sunyani open.