The initiative sought to equip young people with advocacy, leadership and civic engagement skills to drive positive social change and influence development outcomes within their communities.

Participants were drawn from the Akuapem South, Asuogyaman, Fanteakwa North, New Juaben North, Yilo Krobo and Upper Manya Krobo districts.

The training was organised by the Eastern Regional Secretariat of the National Youth Authority (NYA) and the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC) under the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Eighth Country Programme.

Addressing participants in Koforidua, Mr Ebenezer Amoah, the Chief Director of the ERCC, said the programme formed part of efforts to eliminate gender-based violence and harmful practices while promoting reproductive health rights among young people.

He noted that the UNFPA Eighth Country Programme was anchored on three key objectives: achieving zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning, and eliminating gender-based violence and harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).

Mr Amoah observed that GBV remained a major social and public health concern, particularly among vulnerable groups.

He added that limited access to reproductive health information continued to hinder many young people from making informed decisions about their health and rights.

According to him, the initiative seeks to promote community transformation and policy influence through education, advocacy and awareness creation.

The Youth Parliament is a structured, non-partisan platform established by the National Youth Authority to enable young people to deliberate on national issues, develop leadership skills and actively participate in governance and civic processes.

Mr Michael Agyemang, the Eastern Regional Development Planning Officer at the ERCC, described the workshop as the beginning of a sustained advocacy process rather than a one-off intervention.

He reiterated that promoting youth empowerment and active civic participation remained central to the development mandate of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council.

Mr Agyemang, therefore, encouraged participants to champion advocacy against GBV, promote accurate reproductive health information and support efforts to reduce teenage pregnancy.

He also urged them to strengthen youth participation in governance, document their advocacy activities and build partnerships that would sustain their impact in local communities.

Madam Evelyn Enyonam Lotsu, the Eastern Regional Director of the National Youth Authority, said the Authority was mandated to promote youth development through empowerment, leadership and active participation in national development.

She explained that the Youth Parliament promotes inclusivity, civic responsibility and collaboration while addressing challenges such as low youth participation and political exploitation.

“The Youth Parliament will continue to play a significant role in driving community development and policy advocacy by empowering young people to become active, responsible and informed citizens,” she emphasised.