National Youth Authority (NYA) Organizes A One-Day Orientation On The Operational Manual For Regulation Of Youth Organizations, The National Volunteer Corps And The Youth Parliament Concepts For Upper East Regional And District Officers

A one-day orientation for staff of the Upper East Regional and District directorates of the National Youth Authority on the operational manual for regulating youth groups, the National Volunteer Corps and Youth Parliament concepts has been held at the Premiere Lodge, Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

Addressing participants who were drawn from districts across the region, Deputy CEO of the Authority responsible for Programmes and Operations, Mr Nelson Owusu Ansah noted that as frontline workers of the Authority, they were better placed to imbibe the training and to actualize the modules in their respective jurisdictions. He said the training session was purposed to bring all regions up to speed with the direction and the new focus of the Authority. He said the old order of the Authority is gradually giving room to a new order which includes the Authority taking full charge of young people, influencing policy to positively affect young people and for the Authority assuming its rightful place as the key duty bearer for youth development and empowerment.

He said it was imperative for the Authority to arm and position itself to proffer appropriate solutions to issues confronting young people. This he said could be achieved by considering the socio-dynamics of the youth vis-a-vis the role and mandate of the NYA as a youth development agency. He commended personnel of the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) for their untiring contributions at meeting the overall objectives of the Authority.

Mr. Owusu Ansah reiterated the critical need for the NYA to live up to its billing as a regulator of the youth sector to ensure orderliness and professionalism.

Touching on some notable interventions put in place by government through the NYA to enhance the welfare of the youth, Mr. Owusu Ansah mentioned the Youth Resource Centers of Excellence fully funded by the Authority and being constructed across the nation, the reviewed National Youth Policy of 2010 with its accompanying implementation and monitoring framework which is also awaiting cabinet approval and its launch, the formation of the Ghana Youth Federation as the umbrella body of all youth-led/youth-focused groups, the Model Youth Parliament which seeks to provide the youth with a platform to discuss and advocate on matters affecting their welfare.

On the need to promote the spirit of patriotism amongst the youth, Mr Owusu Ansah mentioned the Ghana Youth Volunteers Programme (GYVP) as a way for young people to give back to society.

Mr. Anaman Mensah, Director for Technical Projects, in a submission said the session is a good opportunity for management to interact with with frontline staff of the Authority in the region and the districts.

In his welcome address, Mr. Gyan Ansah, Upper East Regional Director (Ag),emphasized that management training programmes are very important since they provide a forum for effective communication and coordination. He said training is catalytic in any management matrix that ensures cohesiveness, compatibility and cooperation in any organizational endeavor.

Mr. Mumuni Sulemana, Director of Programmes and Operations gave a presentation on the Operational Manual for regulating youth organizations in accordance with the National Youth Authority Act 2016 (Act 939).