‘Youth empowerment is crucial for dev’t’

Mr. Seth Oteng, Executive Director of Youth Bridge Foundation, a youth-focused NGO, has said empowerment and greater participation of the youth in governance are crucial for successful economic development in Africa.

“Refusing to carefully analyse and properly establish and direct such roles of the youth in the building blocks of any society and country can be an expensive path to travel on.

“Having consistently engaged with youth groups from all over the country and from 35 countries in Africa and the Diaspora through the Foundation’s African Youth and Governance Conference Initiative, we have come to the critical realisation that the role played by the youth in building and maintaining peace cannot be overemphasised,” he said.

Mr. Oteng said this when the Foundation in collaboration with the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) – Ghana, organised a national stakeholder's dialogue on Election 2012 concerns to launch 'Youth Facing Elections: Crossroad-GH2012' project, in Accra.

He was speaking under the theme ‘Dialogue and Mutual Understanding: A wheel for Peaceful Election 2012’and aimed at creating a dialogue with stakeholders and eliciting commitment to address issues of transparency and a free, fair and peaceful Election 2012.

The Foundation is a youth non-governmental organisation that advocates responsible participation of the youth in social, economic and democratic processes for peaceful conduct of elections for a sustainable development.

Mr. Oteng said as part of the project the Foundation in partnership with the Electoral Commission and other youth organisations will undertake youth-friendly approaches to deepen voter education among the electorate.

He said there will be advocacy for youth inclusiveness at every stage in the election process, a campaign for youth non-violent participation in Election 2012, and policy dialogue in election year as a barometer for post-election engagements.

Dr. Anthony Cudjoe, Chief Executive Officer, Emerging Leaders Africa, urged the youth not to allow politicians to use them as instruments for electoral violence, and called on them to be worthy ambassadors of peace for Election 2012.

Mr. Elvis Aryeh, Member of the National Media Commission, urged the media to shine at all times in the provision of fair coverage for all.