Tamale: The Northern Regional Directorate of the National Youth Authority (NYA) has launched the 2026 National Youth Month celebration with a clean-up exercise in Tamale. The exercise was aimed at encouraging young people to embrace volunteerism, patriotism, and sanitation as essential contributions to national development. It brought together youth groups, members of the Youth Parliament in the region, and volunteers to clean parts of the Tamale Metropolis.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Amankona Ampofo, Northern Regional Director of the NYA, addressed participants during the exercise, emphasizing that the month of August had been set aside since 2022 to celebrate the contributions of young people to national development. He explained that unlike previous years, when activities were concentrated at the national level, this year's celebration would feature activities across all regions to enable more young people to participate effectively. He noted that the clean-up exercise marked the beginning of a series of activities planned throughout August to commemorate Youth Month.
Mr. Ampofo stated that the exercise aligned with the President's national sanitation campaign aimed at promoting clean and healthy communities. He highlighted the importance of cleanliness in promoting good health and demonstrating commitment to national development. He further emphasized the critical role of youth in building the nation's future, noting that the country's development largely depends on the active participation and commitment of its young population. 'If Ghana works, the youth of Ghana will work. The youth hold the future of this country, but we must all contribute meaningfully to make Ghana thrive,' he said.
Miss Ruhia Tidow, a Member of the Sagnarigu Municipal Youth Parliament, shared her views on the significance of the exercise, reflecting the responsibility of young people to protect the environment and safeguard public health. She pointed out the importance of maintaining clean surroundings to prevent disease outbreaks and promote healthier communities. She expressed concern about poor waste disposal practices, highlighting their contribution to flooding and environmental degradation. Miss Tidow urged residents to adopt proper waste management practices and support efforts to sustain cleanliness in their communities throughout the year, beyond organized campaigns.