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Mr Vincent Antwi-Agyei, the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), has handed over a land site for the construction of a recreational and rehabilitation centre for adolescents in the Municipality.
The Sunyani-based Global Media Foundation (GloMeF), an anti-human rights and media advocacy Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) and its partners, is putting up the facility situated at an ‘old-age’ refuse dumpsite within the Sunyani Zongo enclave.
Known as the Zongo “Borla Down,” the site is identified for the level of criminal activities that goes on there, with pockets of Indian hemp smoking and peddling joints spread around.
Mr Antwi-Agyei, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the commencement of the project at the site, said the facility would foster youth development, eliminate the criminal activities in the area, and impact positively on the lives of the youth.
Again, the facility would serve as an adolescent parliament for young people and offer an opportunity for those who had gone wayward to be reintegrated with their families, he said.
Mr Raphael Godlove Ahenu, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of GloMeF explained that the construction of the project was in line with the implementation of the Organisation’s Resilient City for Adolescents (RC4A) project.
He said the project was a key component of the phase two of the Healthy Cities for Adolescents (HCA-II) programme, being funded by the Fondation Botnar and coordinated by the Ecorys UK.
Mr Ahenu said the three-year project was being implemented by a consortium of NGOs comprising GloMeF, Citizens Watch Ghana and the Indigenous Women Empowerment Network.
The RC4A aimed at empowering adolescents in the Sunyani Municipality, economically, socially and politically to enhance their abilities in decision making, advocacy for their rights, as well as create job opportunities for them.
Mr Ahenu said the project implementation entailed the establishment of an Adolescent Public Park, one of the key four key components and to offer a safe environment for adolescents in the municipality.
“The facility will promote social interactions among the adolescents, provide opportunities for learning, and access to psychologists and counsellors for adolescent support on personal issues,” he added.
Alhaji Baba Seidu, the Bono Regional Chief Imam, commended the Assembly, the NGO and its partners, saying the facility would greatly help reform the youth who were addicted to substance abuse.
Source: GNA
