In keeping with his commitment to youth development and the development of sports infrastructure in the country, the Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon Mustapha Ussif (MP) paid a working visit to the Koforidua Multi-purpose Youth Resource Centre on Tuesday, 17th October 2023 ahead of the scheduled commissioning of six such centres.
He was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Mr. Pius Enam Hadzide, the Board Chairman of the NYA, Hon Afrifa Mensah and the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. William Kartey.
In 2018, the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo cut the sod to initiate the remarkable project for the construction of ten Multi-purpose Youth Resource Centers, each designated for the then regions.
Progress on the ambitious projects was momentarily stalled by the unforeseen outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, determination and commitment paved the way for a strategic review that enabled the government to ensure the completion of six out of the ten centres in 2023, with plans far advanced to commission the remaining four by 2024. Each facility comprises a FIFA-standard football pitch, a nine-lane athletic track, tennis, basketball, handball, and volleyball courts, a modern gymnasium, a counselling centre, an information technology hub, an entrepreneurship centre and a contemporary restaurant. These facilities are designed to empower the nation’s youth by fostering physical and intellectual growth.
They are a testament to the Government’s dedication to fostering youth talent and providing world-class sporting facilities accessible to all.
After the inspection of the facility, Hon Mustapha Ussif expressed his utmost satisfaction with the pace of work being done and underscored the substantial progress in sports infrastructure development under President Akufo-Addo’s administration.
Notable among these are the construction of 152 artificial turf pitches across the country and the renovation of national stadia in Cape Coast, Kumasi, Accra, and Sekondi highlighting the administration’s unwavering support for youth and sports development.
“The unprecedented policies and projects by President Akufo-Addo towards sports and youth development demonstrate that the President indeed cares for the youth,” Hon. Ussif affirmed.
He highlighted the numerous youth-focused initiatives across different Sectors, such as Skills Towards Employability and Productivity Programme (STEP), Youth Livelihood Farms, National Youth Volunteers Programme (NYVP), Planting for Food and Jobs, and the National Entrepreneurship & Innovation Programme (NEIP), YouStart, among others.
Regarding the interest and passion that the people of Koforidua have for table tennis, the Minister directed that a hall should be designated for the sport within the facility to help unearth talent and enhance the playing of the sport and make it a tennis hub for the country and beyond.
He then urged the youth to take full advantage of these opportunities, adding that the facility is not designated for sports only but a facility for diverse skills training which includes IT skills as well as guidance and counselling programmes to inculcate the tenets of discipline, hard work and morality in the youth.
The CEO of NYA, Pius Enam Hadzide reiterated the Government’s commitment to youth development, assuring the public that all ten resource centres would be completed and commissioned by next year, offering a multitude of prospects to the youth for their future aspirations.
These resource centres, alongside the numerous artificial pitches, stadium renovations and the infrastructure for the 13th African Games will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the nation’s sporting landscape, nurturing future champions, and providing the youth with the opportunities they deserve.
The other five Youth Resource Centres earmarked for commissioning this year include the Wa Youth Resource Centre, Ho Youth Resource Centre, Axim Youth Resource Centre, Dormaa Youth Resource Centre and Dunkwa-on-Offin Youth Resource Centre.
By: Clement Osei Aboagye
