Second Lady Mrs Samira Bawumia has called on the youth to develop creative and innovative ways to help the country effectively tackle challenges and risks associated with the global Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Her call was to encourage the youth to support the government to fine-tune its efforts in Covid-19 responses as well as against other economic, political and social challenges.

In order for the youth to contribute their quota in this direction, Mrs Bawumia said it was prudent for the world to first and foremost empower the youth in responding to the pandemic since they are critical and valuable force in development.

Commemorating the International Youth Day, which Ghana specifying on the theme: “Youth engagement in mitigating the impacts of covid-19: The need for innovation and creativity,” on Friday in Accra, she reiterated the need for young people to help dissemination of accurate information on Covid-19 in order to tackle myths and stigma associated with it the disease.

The observation of National Youth Day was organised by the National Youth Authority (NYA) under global theme “Youth Engagement for Global Action.”

“Young people can play critical roles in disseminating accurate information on Covid-19. Tackling risk and stigma, policing fake news and supporting information sharing on risk education, national preparedness and response efforts,” Mrs Bawumia said.

The Second Lady underscored the need for  youth engagement had become critical under the current dispensation had witnessed a severe social, economic and political situation across the globe birth by the Covid-19, saying the situation has created the need for the youth to strategize and adopt innovative ways of meeting the country’s growing needs.

She said they could also help mitigate the impact of the crisis in the long term by promoting social cçohesion and countering hate speech, xenophobia, human right violations, and violence.

 Minister for Youth and Sports, Isaac Kwame Asiamah on his part emphasized the importance of the theme and how the Ghanaian youths are proving to be key actors when it comes to finding solutions to global challenges.

“Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, some young Ghanaian innovators have developed disinfectant chambers, which allow you to sanitize your whole self. Others have also invented automated solar hand washing machines, sanitizers and face masks,” he appreciatively stated.

He asserted that it is more encouraging how the youth were actively helping their communities as healthcare staff and social workers, and finding innovative ways to teach or act as social change activists and taking care of patients and loved ones, among others, adding: “We commend our youth for their high spirit of volunteerism, nationalism and patriotism.”

The Chief Executive Organisation (CEO) of NYA, Sylvester Tetteh added that the best can be gotten out of the youth only through education and skill training.             

He said it is through education that the capacity of the youth can be built and prepare them to take on nation-building roles, saying “Education is the bedrock of modern societies. When young people lose access to education, they lose a critical opportunity for growth.”

Mr Tetteh was highly contempt with how the youth across the country are already contributing immensely towards Ghana’s fight against Covid-19 through acts of volunteerism, innovation and enterprise.

He disclosed that countless youth have joined the NYA’s Covid-19 Youth Campaign and are educating members of their communities to adhere to social distancing protocols and abide by other safety and preventive measures proposed by the President and the Ministry of Health.

As part of the promoting youth engagements, the Authority has reviewed the Youth Policy with the help of over 7,000 young people to align it with Government’s development agenda as well as other relevant international development protocols and frameworks.

The Authority’s GO-LEAD programme has empowered over 20,000 young females in Leadership and Governance in Secondary and Tertiary institutions in Ghana as well as capacity-building programmes have empowered the Youth of Ghana to exploit economic opportunities and develop vital skills.

By Akutu Dede Adimer