The Northern Regional branch of the National Youth Authority, under the leadership of Mr. Mumuni Sulemana, has held an awards scheme to honor some youth and mentors from the region.
The event, which was under the supervision of the Hon. Pius Enam Hadzide, Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority, was held at the Tamale Campus of the University for Development Studies.
In his speech, Hon. Hadzide said that about 73.5% of the population in the region are children and youth, adding that should the entire country absorb this population, it would result in a demographic deficit.
On his part, Hon. Mahama Shaibu Obei, former Member of Parliament for Daboya/Mankarigu, who represented the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin, said the youth are the assets of this country, which made him elated about the program, being the first of its kind in the Northern Region.
In addition, he said, every developmental activity initiative begins with the youth, such as youth development and youth employment initiatives, which has the advantage of drawing the youth into positive ways of creating changes in the country.
Some of the awardees included Nakeeyat Dramani (Poet), Dr. Arnold Mashud (Youth Advocate), Mr. Ibrahim Mahama (Artist), Hon. Clara Napag Tia Sulemana (Female Political Icon), Mr. Mubarak Wakaso (Sports Icon) and many others.
The occasion was graced by traditional rulers, clergy, students, and other stakeholders.