Dalun: Young people from 13 communities across the Kumbungu, Tolon, Sagnarigu, and Savelugu Districts in the Northern Region have been equipped with knowledge and practical skills in civic engagement and community action.
According to Ghana News Agency, the two-day event, dubbed 'Youth ACTS Forum', was held under the theme: 'Our Voice, Our Action: Youth Leading Change'. It aimed to strengthen youth participation in community development and decision-making processes. The Youth ACTS Forum was part of the Active Citizenship for Transformation and Sports (ACTS) project, implemented by the Youth Opportunity Partnership Programme (YOPP) in partnership with DGI-Midtjylland, with funding support from CISU in Denmark.
Mr. Abu Abubakri, Executive Director of YOPP, emphasized the importance of active youth involvement in governance and development during the event at Dalun. He highlighted the critical role young people play in shaping their communities and encouraged them to use their voices responsibly to influence positive change.
Mr. Shani Mahama of Tamale Technical University facilitated the forum, leading sessions on civic engagement and action, with discussions in Dagbanli to ensure inclusivity and effective participation. Participants engaged in interactive discussions, sharing real-life community challenges and exploring solutions together. Key issues such as unemployment were identified, and participants were encouraged to move beyond discussions to practical action by setting goals, developing action plans, and engaging stakeholders.
Each community group was tasked to return home, identify a pressing local issue, and develop concrete action plans to address it, reporting back to YOPP within one week. Ms. Luna Bille of REEP Ghana also contributed to the forum by presenting on the use of digital platforms for civic engagement and advocacy. She provided participants with skills to amplify their voices in society and leverage social media platforms to drive change.
The sessions also highlighted responsible social media use, including verifying information before sharing and creating meaningful content on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. Participants were guided on content creation strategies, including crafting clear messages, maintaining authenticity, using relevant hashtags, and consistently engaging with audiences.