ActionAid official urges youth to use internet wisely

Ms Christina Amarchey, Programme Manager of ActionAid Ghana (Brong-Ahafo Region), has appealed to the youth to use the  internet wisely and refrain from abusing it and engaging in fraudulent and other negative activities.

Ms Amarchey said this when inaugurating the first phase of a Youth Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Centre at Bepoase in the Tain District of Brong-Ahafo Region.

The first phase, estimated at about GHC28,800 with a 120-capacity hall and jointly undertaken by ActionAid Ghana and the Assembly, would serve six communities with a total population of about 7,000.

The communities are Bepoase, Tanokrom, Nasana, Komourkrom, Mensakrom and Ankadwoa.

The project, initiated in 2011, is to offer an opportunity for the youth to be well organised with the necessary training and exposure to contribute to local governance and national development.

Ms Amarchey said most of the youth spent time on the internet not for any meaningful purposes but negative activities.

However, she said, there was an emerging understanding worldwide to give the youth a direct role in shaping policies and programmes for local and national development.

“Young people have tremendous creativity and energy that can be tapped to promote development and help ensure that they achieve their fullest potential,” she said.

“On the other hand they have proven to be a source of social tension and conflict when left disengaged and alienated from the conditions necessary for their development as productive citizens.”

Ms Amarchey said ICT had become an essential part of life and for development.

Source: GNA