Nana Ansah Sasraku, the Kyidomhene of the Akuapem Traditional Area and Chief of Mamfe, has noted that youth empowerment must be a shared responsibility between the government and traditional leaders in order to make them an integral part of national development.

He noted that the issue of high unemployment rate among the youth must be tackled with a concerted effort from all stakeholders including traditional leaders through local initiatives.

Addressing the Annual Ohum durbar of the chiefs and people of Mamfe, Nana Sasraku, indicated that Information Communication Technology (ICT), was one of the surest ways to empower the youth.

He noted that even though ICT had become a global tool for empowerment, many people still had little access to such facilities.

He announced that the Mamfe Traditional Council had therefore decided to use the community centre as an ICT centre comprising an internet café, training section and a library to ensure that people in the area had access to such facilities to equip them for job opportunities.

The chief said the ICT centre would be beneficial to the youth and the entire community rather than using it only for social activities such as concerts and dance.

He urged the community members, especially the youth to patronize the centre for their own benefit.

Mr Victor Smith, acting Eastern Regional Minister, who shared the view of the chief, emphasized that ICT was now a basic requirement in all job openings and lauded the bold initiative of the chief to turn the community centre into such a viable venture.

On behalf of the acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Ms Sherry Ayittey, he presented five laptops to the chief to support the ICT centre in the town.