PRESIDENT MAHAMA MUST APPOINT MORE YOUNG PEOPLE INTO POSITIONS

The recent call from leaders across the world on Young People to actively take part in their country's development is well placed and good news for the youth who form majority of the world's population. The United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban Kin Moon recently admonished world leaders to invest heavily in the youth since failing to invest in the youth will result in a tottering economy.

Our President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has reiterated this call on several occasions and platforms since his assumption to the highest office of the land. The President has consistently called on the youth to rally behind him in achieving our developmental aspirations as a country. He has demonstrated this participating in youth related activities and launching a funding mechanism for youth entrepreneurship.

Youth Alliance for Development wishes to commend the President for such calls and the appointment of some youth into office in the previous Mills-led administration. We however wish to call on him to appoint more young people into positions in this new administration to give meaning to his belief in the youth and also his readiness to work with them.

We believe that such a move will create a platform for young people to be actively involved in our governance system and participate at the highest level of decision making advancing the course of youth development at the same time. This will also ensure that the perennial problem of lack of political mentorship that has plagued our country's political system since independence will be dealt with. It is our belief that such a step will pay great dividend for the future of Ghana since it will be an opportunity to groom the teeming young people who will take charge of affairs soon.

The Youth are more energetic, more creative, good innovators and enthusiastic users of technology who fit well into modern ways of doing things. Involving them in governance will therefore have a huge impact on the development of the youth who can fit into the modern world where information and technology rule.

We wish to suggest to President Mahama to reserve a percentage of all appointments, including MMDCEs, boards and Commissions, for qualified and patriotic young people who have the capacity to serve our dear nation. In doing this, President Mahama must rise above partisan lines and appoint competent and patriotic citizens who have the passion to offer their services to the development of Ghana. This is the only country we have and all hands must be on deck to ensure a united front to fight against the common enemies of poverty, disease, squalor and ignorance.

Signed
Ali Tanti Robert (Executive Director)
Emmanuel Agyenfra (Communication team)
Mustapha Badini (Communication team)
Youth Alliance for Development is a youth NGO oriented towards empowerment, research, advocacy, education, and skills development of young people.