Asankare (Ash), Aug 17, GNA- Government has been urged to formulate a national youth policy so that it could adequately harness the potentials of the youth for national development. This would also create an enabling environment for the youth to contribute to the socio-economic development of the various communities. Mr. Daniel Arhin-Sam, Principal of Asankare Youth Leadership Training Institute, made the call at the celebration of the International Youth Day at Asankare in the Asante-Akim South District. He said the formulation of such a policy could serve as framework for addressing the numerous challenges facing the youth towards youth development.

Mr. Arhin-Sam said with the implementation of the National Youth Employment Programme, it was imperative for Parliament to pass a law to buttress government's vision of empowering the youth. He lauded government for the introduction of the NYEP but called for the prioritization of skill acquisition to ensure the success of the programme.

The Principal further appealed to government to expand facilities of various youth training centres to give room for more admission. Mr. Augustine Aphu, District Co-ordinator of the National Youth Council (NYC), advised the youth against involving themselves in land and chieftaincy disputes and instead serves as mediators to foster unity.

He said since the youth would eventually assume leadership responsibilities in future there was the need for them to uphold morale values in society for the benefit of posterity. Mr. Aphu advocated the formation of youth groups to serve as a common front to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters to ensure prompt action.

He entreated District Assemblies and traditional authorities to provide recreational facilities in various communities to divert the attention of the youth from negative social vices. Mr. Emmanuel Victor Boadu, Field Officer at the District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), implored the youth to be law-abiding and be abreast with the national Constitution as future leaders.

He also cautioned against the destruction of public property during demonstrations, adding that such actions were detrimental to development.