NYA partners with Parliament to deepen youth participation in governance

The National Youth Authority (NYA) has initiated a new collaboration with Parliament, aiming to enhance Ghanaian youth's engagement with the nation's democratic institutions. This partnership, underscored by NYA Chief Executive Officer Osman Abdulai Ayariga during the National Youth Parliament Mock Sitting, marks the first of its kind between the two entities.

Ayariga emphasized that this collaboration should be seen as the start of a more robust institutional relationship, designed to facilitate young individuals' understanding of how democratic processes operate. He stressed that the mock sitting would expose participants to various parliamentary procedures, such as presenting motions, debating topics, challenging ideas, listening to counterarguments, and reaching consensus.

Ayariga highlighted the significance of this event, stating it represents the inaugural joint initiative between the National Youth Authority and Ghana's Parliament. He further explained that the Youth Parliament serves as a training ground for young people to cultivate civic competence, leadership skills, and democratic literacy.

Ayariga encouraged participants to ensure that their deliberations yield documented recommendations, which should then be submitted to relevant institutions for review. He concluded by urging the participants to thoughtfully consider and record the arguments, proposals, and recommendations that emerge from their parliamentary sessions, and to present them to the National Youth Authority and other pertinent bodies for assessment.