The youth wings of political parties with representatives in Parliament on Wednesday launched a programme dubbed: "Inter-Party Youth Committee" to serve as a platform where politically active youth could dialogue and discuss issues of national interest in a non partisan way. Youth wings of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), People's National Convention (PNC) and Convention People's (CPP) agreed that the forum would reduce the suspicion and animosity among youth affiliated to the political parties. Mr John Boadu, Chairman of the Inter-Party Youth Committee, explained that even though there was a need for pluralism in democracy it was important that the youth went about their activities in a mature and peaceful manner to avoid rancour. He noted that the voter population was dominated by the youth and it was no surprise that all the negative activities, such as defacing of opponents' posters and beating of opponents, were mostly done by the youth. Mr Boadu, who is also the National Youth Organizer of the NPP, pointed out that by engaging youth of different political parties in joint programmes, such negative acts could be avoided and the focus of the youth drifted towards promoting the wellbeing of the country. He emphasized that the Inter-Party Youth Committee was formed to conscientise youth involved in political party activities to avoid acrimony and rancour between political parties. Among those who attended the programme were Mr Daniel Kwaku Botwe, an NPP presidential aspirant, Dr Edmund Delle, Chairman of the CPP, Mr Peter Mac Manu, NPP National Chairman, Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, NDC Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Mr George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of National Media Commission. Ms Kathrin Meissner, Resident Director of Friedrich Ebert Foundation, expressing delight about the programme noted that the forum was not about standardizing ideas for the youth to follow but about realizing that there were certain issues that had to be dealt with across party lines. She commended the youth leaders of the political parties for taking the initiative to start such a programme. Mr Mac Manu said the NPP was a firm believer of freedom and democracy as well as peace and lauded the initiative by the youth to exchange ideas even though they were of different opinions. "It is a step in the right direction. We are yearning for power but power is not the ultimate; power should involve peace and respect for each other." Mr Mac Manu noted that exchange of different opinions was a must, but the way it was handled made the difference. Mr Afriyie Ankrah called on the Electoral Commission, the media and political parties to play their expected roles to ensure peace in multi-party democracy. Dr Delle also pledged the CPP's support for the programme and pointed out that the party was started by the youth and believed in the power of the youth. He noted that the successes or failures of the democratic dispensation depended on the youth and advised youth leaders to think of the nation first when taking any decision. Mr Gabriel Pwamang of the PNC cautioned the youth that peace in the country was important as winning or losing elections was not the end of everything. Dr Audrey Gadzekpo, Acting Director of School of Communication Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, advised the youth to think of Ghana first and ensure that in any decision they made the national interest was above all others. Mr Michael Kugblenu, National Coordinator of Youth Network for Human Rights and Democracy (You-Net), said it was important for political parties to give opportunities for youth participation. He said You-Net had also come up with training programmes for party youth in a bid to ensure peace and youth involvement in the economic development of the country. Mr Iddrisu called on leaders of political parties to strengthen the youth wings of their parties. Source: GNA