The Acting Director- General of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Mr. Nelson Owusu-Ansah has stated that government policies which do not factor in the youth is bound to fail.
Addressing the gathering at this year’s Youth Day, he stated that the youth must become the focus especially in the Agricultural sector policy formulation.
“I dare say unequivocally that, every government policy that does not put the youth at the center stage is bound to fail. Young people must be at the center of our Agri-policies in this country.”
Nelson Owusu-Ansah
Mr. Owusu-Ansah further said the gathering of the various stakeholders in the Agri-value chain is to help tailor all key issues and chart a course that will help whip up interest among young people.
“The relevance of today’s theme, ‘Transforming youth systems, youth innovation for human and planetary health’, cannot be over stated as it focuses its attention on one basic necessity of life which is food. Food is central in all societies and defines the way humans interact with each other, connects people with their environment and it remains a foundation of livelihood for a larger part of humanity.”
Nelson Owusu-Ansah
NYA flagship program to attract youth
Mr. Owusu-Ansah further indicated that he is expectant that the launch of the Authority’s flagship project dubbed; ‘Youth Agri Enterprise Support Program’ will eventual help attract young people into the Agri-value chain.
He added that he is expecting the program to also in turn contribute significantly to ensuring food security in Ghana and even within the sub region. He then expressed
“The National Youth Authority is honored to be spearheading the National youth event and we hope to deepen the discourse as well as enhance awareness and collaborations around food systems especially on the continent of Africa.
“I believe that we are all dispassionately considering the issues and we are relating to the theme.”
Nelson Owusu-Ansah
He further expressed optimism in the engagement with the youth adding that it will be impactful in their lives.
“I am therefore optimistic that the outcome of today’s deliberation is especially as espoused by the theme will contribute immensely to reorient the youth and will spere them on to do more than ever before and begin to embrace agriculture as a noble profession.”
Nelson Owusu-Ansah
Young people hold key to creative approaches
Also speaking at the event, the UN Resident coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani, said young people hold the key to creative and innovative approaches to solving some of the world’s biggest problems.
He averred that providing the right platform for the youth to engage,;will be the basis to unleash the potentials of the youth.
;“I am excited with this year’s theme;and commend the organizers for bringing the youth to this year’s seat to strategic discussions on transforming food systems particularly as it impacts their lives.”
Charles Abani
He also revealed that the United Nations is this year pushing for a global food system summit.
Mr. Abani further said Ghana is pushing towards maximizing the Agri-value value chain and therefore there is the need to get involved to ensure it comes to fruition.
He also urged the youth to get into the Agricultural sector;since it also serves as a platform to help them maximize their potential in the technological field.
