Sunyani: Mr. Vincent Antwi Agyei, the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), has announced the Assembly's commitment to incorporating adolescent-responsive strategies into its development plans to address the emerging needs of young people in the area. The Assembly's support for youth-led programmes, research, and employable skills training is expected to facilitate the holistic development of the youth in the municipality.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Agyei delivered his remarks at the Second Local Learning Event on the implementation of the Healthy Cities for Adolescents (HCA-II) program. This event was organized by the Sunyani-based Global Media Foundation (GloMeF), a non-governmental organization. The GloMeF, in collaboration with the Indigenous Women Empowerment Network and Citizens Watch Ghana, is implementing the Resilient Cities for Adolescents (RCA) project under the HCA II initiative. This initiative, spearheaded by Foundation Botnar in partnership with Ecorys UK, aims to enhance the health and well-being of adolescents.
Mr. Agyei highlighted that the Assembly is working alongside project implementers to construct a recreational centre in Sunyani. This facility will serve as a permanent safe space for youth learning and development. He emphasized that scaling the RCA model through platforms like the Intermediary City Ecosystem Platform (ICEP) will encourage greater adolescent participation in decision-making processes.
Mr. Raphael Godlove Ahenu, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of GloMeF, called on stakeholders to strengthen youth involvement in urban governance to promote inclusive and sustainable urban planning. He stressed the importance of creating safe, healthy, and responsive urban environments for adolescents, particularly for girls, Persons with Disabilities, and other vulnerable young people. "Only when our cities include, empower, and protect young people can we truly call them resilient," he stated.
Mr. Edward Ayabilah, GloMeF's Programme Manager for the RCA, explained that 22 adolescents were trained as advocates during the project's first phase. Additionally, 45 individuals have been enrolled in a digital skills mentorship program. The project has established an ICT lab in Sunyani, equipped with modern computers and tech machines to facilitate training. Furthermore, 45 youths are undergoing vocational training in dressmaking, hairdressing, and artistry. Upon completion, the project will provide startup capital to help them establish their own businesses.