A youth parliament analogous to Ghana’s legislature has been inaugurated in Gwollu, the Sissala West District capital, to facilitate the mobilization of young men and women to share ideas on promoting good governance in the society.
Critical areas the youth parliament seeks to address is to build a sustainable relationship between youth groups and existing governance structures in the decision-making process and influence development outcomes.
It would target those social and economic issues that affect youth development such as falling standards of education, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, security and unemployment among others.
Mr Mohammed Bakor, the Sissala West District Chief Executive, said there is the need for the youth to sacrifice for the development of their communities before thinking of their personal benefits.
He said they could help the district achieve open defecation free status and also help address the myriad of developmental challenges confronting communities in the area.
“As a youth who aspire to occupy responsible positions, you need to take your education seriously to be able to take advantage of personal and community development opportunities available,” Mr Bakor said.
He said more youth have been empowered through engagement in the digital marketing programme and government agricultural programmes of Rearing for Food and Jobs, Planting for Export and Rural Development as well as Planting for Food and Jobs.
Mr Bakor expressed worry that “many young people still depend on government for jobs that don’t exist,” and called on the youth to make a conscious effort to change the prevailing situation.
Mr Hudu Muah, the District Director of National Youth Authority, said: “the inauguration of the parliament is a memorable day as young people in the area would be involved in governance and development processes”.
“It will not be easy but we can do it because parliament will rise to the challenge as they are to be measured with other youth parliaments elsewhere”.
Mr Muah cautioned members and leadership of the house to conduct themselves properly in their proceedings to bring glory to the district.
Mr Ibrahim Wasor was elected the First Speaker among other leaders.
The Sissala West Youth Parliament is the latest parliament to be inaugurated by the National Youth Authority among others in the Upper West Region and members are expected to contribute to policies that would influence development outcomes.
