The Twelfth (12th) Parliament of the Upper West Regional Youth Parliament has been reconstituted and duly inaugurated for another parliamentary year.
This follows the dissolution of the previous (11th) parliament after its one year of operation as stipulated by the Standing Orders of the Youth Parliament (YP).
The house reconstituted on Thursday, September 01, 2022, with Mr James Baba Anabiga as Speaker of Parliament and Miss Doris Siibu and Miss Rashida Gbolo as First Deputy and Second Deputy Speakers respectively.
Mr James Baba Anabiga, who was Speaker of the 11th parliament and reelected Speaker of the new parliament, thanked members of the newly reconstituted parliament for the confidence reposed in him for yet another year.
He assured the youth of the region of more tailored advocacy in areas of relevance to the development of the youth such as teenage pregnancy, childhood marriages and reproductive health.
He said the regional YP will continue the advocacy campaigns “because we don’t want anytime they mention teenage pregnancy and early childhood marriages, they mention Upper West Region especially Wa West and Wa East districts.
He criticized government’s engagement of retirees on a contract basis when there are equally competent people to undertake such duties, which does not favour the youth in the face of growing concerns of unemployment.
“We kept saying there are no jobs in the system and somebody will go on retirement and you ask the person to continue on contract and there are people who are searching for these jobs and they are not getting.
“Is it that there is no nobody who is qualified to take up those positions or why would you have to ask someone to continue on a contract basis when the law says that at the age of 60, you should go and rest?” Mr Anabiga quizzed.
He called on stakeholders to support the cause of the YP to carry out its patriotic advocacy for the good of Ghana and society saying that “youth parliament is non-partisan, it’s apolitical, non-religious, non-tribal … and therefore whatever support that they have, it’s fully welcome.”
He said the YP has done a lot for the region and that once in a while somebody should pat on its back to continue to do more.
He called for close collaboration of stakeholders and duty bearers and the YP to serve the greater good of society.
Mr Anabiga advised members of the 12th YP to put in their best energies in exercising their roles putting at the back of their minds that the work of the YP is purely sacrificial and borne out of volunteerism and desire for societal good.
He also called on traditional rulers to not hesitate in calling the YP to offer advice anytime the need arises.
Mr Maxwell, who is in charge of Programs and Operations at the Regional Office of the National Youth Authority (NYA), under which YP operates, pledged the full support of the Authority in building a vibrant, resourceful YP in the region.
He commended the YP for the interventional activities undertaken in the region including the research conducted in the Wa East District and other campaigns in education, and health among others.