Sunyani, Sept. 15, GNA – The Bono Regional Youth Parliament of the National Youth Authority (NYA) has been inaugurated in Sunyani with a call on young people not to allow themselves to be recruited into political vigilante and terrorist groups.
The Youth Parliament is an initiative enshrined in the 2010 National Youth Policy of the NYA and aimed at providing the youth with an official platform where young people learn how to express their views, give constructive criticisms, and above all participate effectively in the decision-making process on various developmental issues at the local level.
Mr. Peter Kwabena Gyasi, the Deputy Bono Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), who made the call, said the role of the youth in accelerating national development remained critical and could not be compromised.
He explained incidences of repeated violence in neighbouring countries and parts of Ghana provided the cause for the nation to deepen her prevailing peace and stability, saying, the role of the youth in that regard could not be over-emphasised.
Mr. Gyasi indicated the future development of the nation largely hinged on the youth, hence, the need for young people to be guided and guarded to eschew tendencies that could trigger violence, disturb national peace, social cohesion and subsequently retarded growth and development.
“The issue of national cohesion and inclusive participation in government is of prior importance because development can only thrive in an environment of peace and unity”, he said.
Mad. Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister, who inaugurated the Parliament, said young people ought to be imbibed with socio-cultural values of truthfulness, respect, honesty, time consciousness and virtue of hard work.
That, she added, remained the surest way the youth could contribute significantly to nation building.
Hajia Fati Bamba, the Bono Regional Director of the NYA earlier explained the Youth Parliament offered an opportunity to the youth in the region, and the nation as a whole, to voice their opinions and contribute to national legislation and decision-making process.
She advised the youth parliament to eschew partisan politics, and instead, focus on issues that would push the development of the region forward.
Hajia Bamba expressed appreciation to the Sunyani Technical University for its support, and appealed to the media to support the Youth Parliament to achieve desirable outcomes.
GNA