Ho, Jan. 10, GNA- Participants at a public discussion of the revised draft National Youth Policy document at Ho on Friday called for regular revisions to the country's Youth Policy to make it reflect the changing requirements in youth development.

It was organised by the Volta Region Secretariat of the National Youth Council (NYC).

They discussed at length the age qualification of between 15-29 years stated in the draft document as the range within which one could qualify to be described as a youth.

It was recommended that the authors of the final document took a serious look at the age definition with that of the previous document. They also suggested that the National Youth Council (NYC) should be strengthened to co-ordinate the activities of all youth groups, non-governmental agencies and related organisations doing youth work.

It was also suggested that youth training institutes be established in each district and that the training at all levels should emphasise good citizenship.

The participants also recommended that the youths who have received training in productive activities should be given financial support and helped to establish business, which should be monitored and supported to become viable.

In their view it was time the youth are described as "leaders of today for the future" instead of "leaders of tomorrow", to reflect their inclusiveness in addressing the challenges of the present and the future.

Leaders of religious youth groups called for a mechanism for the registration of such groups to reflect their link to the authority of their mother institutions.

Mr Ransford Ocloo, Volta Regional Co-ordinator of the NYC called on all youth groups in the region, which were yet to register with the Council to do so, adding that only those groups, which had registered with the Council would benefit from micro-credit facilities to be provided by government.

Mr Agbenyega Amenorhu, former Regional Co-ordinator of the NYC, who chaired the forum, stated the importance of youth development as the cornerstone for the country's development and survival. He said great interest and attention needed to be directed at all issues bordering on quality youth training, organisation and mobilisation towards nation building.

Certificates of registration were awarded to some youth groups, which were expected to renew their registration at the end of every year.