Young urban women from nine communities in the Tamale metropolis have raised concerns of bad roads, water, schools, refuse dams, health and sanitation as their major challenges facing their communities.
They tasked aspiring Assembly members of the various areas to come to their aid. This was made known during a civic engagement between young urban women and stakeholders at Tuutingli as part of preparation towards the International Youth Day celebration. The communities are Banvum, Kalariga, Kakpagyili, Tuutingli, Kpaanvo, Bulpela, Nalong, Vitting and Dabokpaa.
The program was organized by the Northern Sector Action on Awareness Center (NORSAAC) in collaboration with National Youth Agency (NYA). International Youth Day (IYD) is observed annually on 12 August. It is meant as an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide.
During IYD, concerts, workshops, cultural events, and meetings involving national and local government officials and youth organizations take place around the world. The International Youth Day 2015 campaign aims at promoting civic engagement and participation of youth in politics and public life, so that young people can be empowered and bring a full contribution to society, development and peace.
Various stakeholders, Non-governmental organizations, NCCE, The department of gender, department of women, labor department , assembly aspirants, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service and other related departments were present. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Youth Civic Engagement “. It was a platform for the young women to interact with stakeholders to outline worrying hidden issues among the youth especially women.
Participants have been able to outline issues such as unpaid work, descent work, sexual harassment both in schools and communities. Participants were taken through the impact of various departments to the youth. They were also given the chance to ask questions of great importance to them.
It was also a platform for former Assemblymen to disclose their work as they were on power. On the other hand, the aspiring assembly members promised to attend to all issues if voted in power.
A petition drawn from the various issues raised by participants would be presented to the Northern Regional Minister as tomorrow marks the day for the celebration to address them accordingly.
By:
Lilian Walter Daborikuu
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