Tamale, August 11, GNA - The youth in the country have been urged to plan their lives strategically towards a brighter future and avoid negative lifestyles that could affect their progress in life.

Mr. Sam Nasamu Asibigi, Deputy Northern Regional Minister, said this when addressing some youths in Tamale on Tuesday during the launch of a toolkit developed for the empowerment of the youth in Ghana.

The youth toolkit is a product of efforts by various youth development organizations aimed at providing opportunities for effective and sustainable youth participation in development.

It would also enable them to monitor national development policies and programmes that affect them.

Mr. Asibigi said meaningful youth participation was crucial for achieving sustainable development and peace among nations and are invaluable partners for social development, bringing creative, enthusiasm and leadership to the table.

He said the government in recognition of the role of the youth to national development had approved a national youth policy document and would be launched in Cape Coast on August 12, 2010.

Mr. Yussif Abdul-Munim, Executive Director of United Force Development (UFFD), said the toolkit would provide essential pillars for effective advocacy and partnership among the youth to monitor what the government and development partners were doing to improve their living conditions.