Wa, Jan 12, GNA - The youth in the Upper West Region have called for the creation of a separate ministry to be responsible for the development and implementation of the national youth policy. In a resolution passed at the end of a one-day Upper West Youth Forum held at Wa, the delegates noted that the placement of the National Youth Council (NYC) under the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports does not make it possible for matters affecting the youth to be seriously and adequately addressed.

The resolution that was signed by Mr Augustine Beakana, the Acting Regional Youth Co-ordinator of the NYC, said a separate ministry for the youth would make it possible for matters affecting the youth to be addressed holistically and with a sense of urgency.

The forum that was held to mark the national youth week in the region also called for the involvement of religious and traditional leaders in the development and implementation of the national youth policy since spiritual and moral values constitute part of national life.

The resolution urged youth groups to embrace the national youth policy goals and expressed the hope that the government would implement them.

The participants further asked the government to support the NYC to organising seminars on leadership role for the youth as well as offering the youth the chance to participate in decision making.

It urged all youth leaders to be role models so as to encourage the youth to live a disciplined and responsible life.

On the national youth fund the resolution suggested that trustees of the fund should be the youth.