Minister for Youth and Sports, Isaac Asiamah in a group photograph with the participants
THE MINISTER of Youth and Sports, Isaac Asiamah, has urged African governments to partner the youth in fostering peace on the African continent.
He made the call in a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the third Annual Forum of National Volunteer Agencies in West Africa held in Accra.
The two-day forum dubbed “Volunteerism For Peace and Security” aims to build a team of young people convicted that peace and reconciliation can be used as effective development tools for the consolidation of peace in their nations and region.
The programme thus mobilizes volunteers across West Africa and is devoted to promoting the ideas and strategies of ECOWAS, including unity, peace, democracy, sustainable development and regional integration.
Minister for Youth and Sports, Isaac Asiamah noted that the forum focuses on harnessing the talents and energies of young leaders of various professional backgrounds and commitments for socio-economic development.
“With a predominantly youthful population, it is of outmost importance for us to empower National Volunteer Agencies to leverage on this demographic dividend, to play significant roles in promoting peace and development in the Sub-region” he said.
Mr. Asiamah added that the youth are seldom seen as partners in fostering peace in their communities and countries but rather involved with unwholesome conducts. “I am clear in my mind that ECOWAS is on the path to changing some of this narrative, thanks to the tenacity of purpose of the National Volunteer Agencies,” he added.
He again said that, the NYA has seen how the voice of the youth is serving as a catalyst to effect peace and security in their surroundings. This he said points to the important role the youth are playing to tackle the pressing social challenges of today and the future.
Mr Asiamah further encouraged the National Volunteer Agencies to expand its reach and institute effective monitoring mechanism to maximize the impact of the programme.
Chief Executive Officer NYA, Emmanuel Sin-Nyet Asigri, emphasized on volunteerism as an act that leads to community service which ultimately harmonizes relationships and therefore its positive effects cannot be overlooked as a community of States.
Mr Asigri added that participants of the two-day forum will take to notice the issues relating to the themes in order to work with open minds and develop a result focused National Voluntary Service Agencies to fortify a dynamic and disciplined youth instilled with a spirit to ensure sustainable peace and security in West Africa.
By Nadia Nimako & Donny Morrison