Compassion International Ghana, a non-governmental organization, in collaboration with local churches have organized a youth-centered programme for persons from deprived communities in the Tongu district.

Compassion International Ghana identifies less privileged families of young people in the deprived communities who clearly need help, train them in various fields, sends those willing to continue their studies to the highest level as well as takes care of their other family members.

During this year's 2022 International Youth Day Celebration, hundreds of young people were brought together to the Global Evangelical Church in Mafi Adidome in the North Tongu District from different communities to display their talents. 

A journalist with the Multimedia Group based in the Volta Region, Ms. Ivy Priscilla Setordjie, who was the Special Guest of Honour, urged the government to give more youth opportunities to excel in government and other fields. 

Ms. Ivy Setordjie noted that the youth, when given the necessary knowledge and opportunities, can be a force for growth.

She therefore called for more youth "to be given leadership roles instead of relying on the already experienced ones who are rather supposed to sit and guide the young ones to drive the workforce of the country."

The Guest Speaker noted that youthful population is a crucial resource, adding that without sufficient job prospects, it is a resource that will remain untapped.

Ms. Setordjie noted that this year's celebration is different from the previous years as it intends to emphasize the importance of action across all generations in order to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals instead of focusing on only the youth.

She also urged the youths to avail themselves for opportunities that might be given them. 

“It is for this reason that the United Nations has set the day to honour young people and the role they may play in making the world a better place,” she said.

Compassion International Ghana Partnership Facilitator for Tongu Cluster projects, Mr. Richard Baku, in his welcome address noted that the day has been designed to create awareness by the United Nations for the purpose of drawing attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding the youth.

He said the event is in line with efforts by the government to create opportunities for our teeming youth.

Mr. Baku called  for all to provide the right framework for the youth to come together, engage in activities related to their needs and interests, participate in decision making process and freely express themselves.  

"As policy makers and development practitioners, we need to focus on how well national plans and initiatives are achieving the goal of maximizing the youth potential and capacity,” Mr. Baku said.

He noted that each nation, including Ghana, must be able to invest in the youth to ensure a balanced and equitable growth.

The Volta Regional Director of the department of children, Mr. Israel Akrobortu, who took the parents and the children through the Child Protection Act, noted that everyone has a responsibility to make sure that children of all ages are well protected from any form of harm.

Mr. Akrobotu also urged the parents to invest in their children's welfare and education for a brighter future.

The International Youth Day was established when the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for youth recommended it to UN General Assembly on December 17, 1999.

Since the day was first observed on August 12, 2000, it has served as a platform for social education.

The 2022 edition of the International Youth Day was held in Mafi Adidome in the Central Tongu District in the Volta Region with a call on the youth to take advantage of opportunities created for them to excel.