The Former Dean, Faculty of Social Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, Prof. Joseph R.A Ayee, has cautioned political parties to make youth development the preoccupation of their campaign.
In line with this, he has asked political parties to make youth development policies a critical part of their campaign messages and manifestos.
They must also restrict the youth from joining vigilante groups and rather focus on investment opportunities that would enhance their development, he stated.
Policy brief document
Prof. Ayee, who made the appeal in Accra last Tuesday at the launch of ‘Policy Brief’, a document geared towards youth development in the country, said: “Using the youth as footsoldiers and inducing them to engage in violence is not part of investment. Rather, proven quality education and employment to empower the youth are critical to national development.”
The document, christened “Youth Development in Ghana: The Debate over the Decoupling of The Ministry of Youth and Sports,“ seeks to provoke discussion on creating a separate ministry for youth from the existing Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS).
The document is an initiative by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Youth Bridge Foundation (YBF), an advocacy championing youth development in the country. It was authored by Prof. Ayee.
Scattered youth development
The author observed that about 73 per cent of the Ghanaian population was youthful, “unfortunately, issues concerning youth development have been scattered to various ministries and departments, making it difficult to focus on youth development.”
The youth, he said, also constituted about 58 per cent of the registered voters, making them “potential to make and unmake governments through their pattern of voting.”
“Making strides in the implementation of the National Youth Development Policy, which was launched in 2010, must be a key election issue, “he stated.
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