Government will turn youth concerns into policy and action — Opare Addo
Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has assured Ghanaian youth that government will listen to their concerns and act on practical ideas presented to address challenges confronting them.
He said the maiden National Youth Forum was designed to provide young people with a direct platform to engage government and influence policies affecting their lives.
The forum, held in Accra on Wednesday, August 19, brought together young people and stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities in youth development.
Speaking at the forum, Mr Opare Addo said the event was not intended to be another gathering where government would simply outline programmes for young people.
“This is a national call to confront the realities facing our youth and to shape the solutions together. Today is not a day for government to come and tell you young people what we are going to do for you. Today is a day for we in government to listen to you,” he said.
He said government would consider and act on ideas that were practical and in the national interest, stressing that youth participation must go beyond attending conferences and listening to speeches.
According to him, the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment is committed to ensuring that policies were guided by evidence rather than assumptions.
He said the ministry is focusing on key areas including health and wellbeing, education and skills development, economic empowerment, youth aspirations, civic engagement and volunteerism.
Mr Opare Addo acknowledged that government had not yet solved all the challenges confronting young people and said the forum was an opportunity to gather ideas to improve existing interventions.
“We have not solved the youth challenges yet, and we've not finished solving your problems. We have only begun the work, and that is why we've invited you here today to come and help us understand the problem and propose solutions, things that you believe may work, so that together we can all embrace it and make it work for you and I,” he said.
The Minister also called on young people to take responsibility for their own development by acquiring relevant skills, developing the right mindset and preparing themselves to lead.
He said the government, private sector, civil society, communities and young people must work together to create an ecosystem that provides sustainable opportunities for the youth.