HON. NICHOLAS KOFI BAAKO’S ADVICE TO THE YOUTH AS WE CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

As today 12th August 2018 marks international youth day with the
Theme safe spaces for the youth.

Youth need safe spaces where they can come together , engage in activities related to their diverse needs and interests, participate in decision making processes and freely express themselves. While ther are many types of spaces, safe spaces ensure the dignity and safety of youths.

Safe spaces such as civil spaces enable youth to engage in governance issues, public spaces afford youth the opportunity to participate in sports and other leisure activities in the community, digital spaces help youth interact virtually across borders with everyone and well planned physical spaces can help accommodate the needs of diverse youth especially those vulnerable to marginalization or violence.

Ensuring that safe spaces are inclusive, youth from diverse background especially those from outside the local community, need to be assured of respect and self-worth, in humanitarian or conflict prone settles for example, youth may have the spaces to fully express themselves without feeling uncomfortable or unwelcome.
Similarly, without the existence of safe space , youth from different race/ ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation or cultural background may feel intimidated to freely contribute to the community.
When have safe spaces to engage, they can effectively contribute to development, including peace and social cohesion.

The Assin Foso municipal assembly in collaboration with all youth organizations in Assin celebrated this year’s international youth day together at Assin Foso municipal assembly hall.

The Assin Foso Municipal chief executive Hon. Nicholas kofi Baako has advised the youths in the municipality to desist from social vices like, alcoholism, substance abuse, cyber fraud and many more.
” Cyber fraud has become one of the most challenges facing the municipality, although, police are working hard to eradicate such practices,
Pastors, Chiefs and other stakeholders are also doing their best to help reduce cyber fraud and other social vices which destroy the youths life ” He said.



He also assured that, the assembly is putting pragmatic measures in place to build recreational centres to help the youths in the municipality.
Though, he was not happy at all about the turnout of the youth but he stated emphatically when speaking to Ghanadailies.com reporter Nana korankye Apomuden that, they will reorganize it again to educate the youths on youth empowerment, how they can make their life useful and put an end to all their immoral activities.

The President of Assin youth Association ( AYA ) Nana kuntuo Asare also thanks all the NGOs and other stakeholders who participated in the programme to support them to help these fight against social vices, and promised to advocate for the youths development and job opportunities for the youths.

Contact hon. Nicholas kofi Baako on 0244847737

Story by: Nana Korankye Apomuden
Splash fm / Ghanadailies.com reporter
0247115354