By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Bolgatanga, Aug. 22, GNA – Activista Ghana, a youth movement affiliated with ActionAid Ghana, has called on the government to translate the overwhelming support it enjoyed from the youth of the Upper East Region into tangible development that would improve livelihoods and create opportunities for young people.
According to the youth, the current government had consistently enjoyed overwhelming support from the youth of the region and therefore expected that support to reflect in meaningful development across the region.
“Much as the development of the region remains paramount, we want to remind the government that the current administration has enjoyed overwhelming support from the youth of the Upper East Region.
“It is our hope that this support will translate into meaningful development for the region and its people,” they said.
Mr Nicholas Azebire, the Upper East Regional Coordinator of Activista Ghana, made the call on behalf of the youth at a stakeholder engagement to commemorate the 2026 International Youth Day in Bolgatanga,
The event was held on the theme: “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
Mr Azebire said despite the strong support for the current administration, the region continued to grapple with longstanding development challenges, including poor road networks, inadequate health infrastructure, limited industrialisation and unemployment among the youth.
The Coordinator said the poor state of roads in several parts of the region continued to hamper economic activities and connectivity, noting that many of the 15 municipalities and districts could not boast of properly tarred roads.
He cited the Nabdam District for instance that had no single tarred road apart from the Bolgatanga-Bawku Road, which pass through it, adding that districts such as Talensi, Bongo, Builsa North, Garu, Pusiga and Tempane faced similar fate.
He also expressed concern over delays in the construction of the proposed Upper East Regional Airport, describing the project as vital to the region’s security, healthcare and economic development and urged the government to fulfil its promise.
Mr Azebire further called for the construction of a standard stadium in the region to help identify, develop and nurture sporting talents.
On healthcare, he noted that the Bolgatanga Municipality lacked a hospital, thereby putting pressure on the Upper East Regional Hospital.
He also expressed concern over stalled Agenda 111 hospital projects in the eight districts benefiting from the progranme, and appealed to the government to prioritise their completion.
Touching on employment, he called for urgent attention to the tomato and meat processing factories in Pawlugu and Zuarungu respectively to create jobs and economic opportunities for young people.
“There cannot be a successful 24-hour economy without a focus on industrialisation. A successful 24-hour economy must be hinged on a more productive economy and not one that relies heavily on imports,” he said.
The Activista Ghana Coordinator also urged the Regional Minister, Mr Donatus Akamugri Atanga, and Members of Parliament in the region to continue advocating for development projects and opportunities for the people.
In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Yakubu Akuka, the Upper East Regional Programme Manager of ActionAid Ghana, said the International Youth Day engagement was intended to create a platform for young people and duty bearers to discuss development challenges and identify practical pathways for youth participation.
He said young people were not merely beneficiaries of development but “rights-holders, partners, innovators and agents of change,” and therefore their participation in decisions affecting their future must be meaningful and inclusive.
The engagement brought together young people, government representatives, youth groups, institutions and other stakeholders to discuss infrastructure development, behavioural change, sustainable livelihoods and broader development challenges confronting young people in the region.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Email: [email protected]