‘Strive to make youth development priority’

"Over the years, the focus had been on the sports aspect of our ministry to the neglect of issues concerning the youth, and we are appealing to our new minister to change that and give both sectors equal attention," he stated.

Sharing his thoughts on the appointment of Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah as the Minister-designate of Youth and Sports with the Daily Graphic in Wa, Mr  Mumuni stressed the need for the youth authorities to be well resourced to boost youth development across the regions.

He stressed the need to encourage more of the youth to harness their entrepreneurial skills and said exchange programmes for both domestic and foreign artisans must be revived.

The regional NYA coordinator further appealed to the new minister to consider developing the "youth in agriculture" programme for an enhanced food security.

He assured the new minister of the support of the youth in the Upper West region and prayed that he gets the nod from the legislature.

"The young people have a lot of confidence in you, since you have demonstrated in diverse ways, your result-oriented and credible leadership," Mr Mumuni noted and reiterated that the youth component of the ministry be accorded the same attention as the sports ministry.

Mr Mumuni also called for the inclusion of a representation of the youth in the thirteen member steering, monitoring and evaluation committee which was recently inaugurated to oversee the training of about 10,000 youth in tourism and hospitality sector.

Story by Chris Nunoo