The exercise is to ensure the effective coordination of youth development and empowerment activities.

In a statement from the NYA, it urged youth focused organizations including faith-based and voluntary groups, to contact the district, regional and national secretariats of the NYA at the Azumah Nelson Youth and Sports Centre at Kaneshie to pick up registration forms or register via www.nya.gov.gh.

The statement said “pursuant to Section 25 of the National Youth Authority Act (Act 939), the National Youth Authority is mandated in cooperation with all District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies to register all youth-led and youth-focused associations/groups/organizations operating within their areas of jurisdiction, unless the aims and objectives of the said associations/groups/organizations are in contravention of the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and/or the by-laws of the Assembly”.

The release further cautioned all youth groups and associations of the consequences of going contrary to the directives.

“All youth-led associations/groups/organizations are to take note that a person or youth organization that engages in an activity contrary to the provision of the Act (939), which establishes the Authority, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction of not less than fifty (50) penalty units and not more than one hundred (100) penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than three (3) months and not exceeding six (6) months or both”.