ASJD HOLDS YOUTH PARLIAMENT DISCUSSION ON GOVERNANCE ISSUES IN KONO

By Fohad Mbaimba Kallay

In a significant effort to accelerate quality service on accountability and transparency for youth to contribute to local governance services, the Advocate for Social Justice and Development (ASJD) with support from Action Aid has conducted a one-day youth/children Parliament Session aimed at discussing emerging governance issues affecting children and young people within Kono district. The session brought together representatives from key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including the mining and agriculture sectors, as well as District Council Deputy Chairperson to engage directly with children and youth parliamentarians on critical development concerns affecting their communities.

Arthur Kargbo, the Executive Director for Advocate for Social Justice and Development, said that the engagement was for the Youth Parliamentarians to directly interact with the decision makers and duty bearers who are the moral guarantors of service delivery at community level. He stressed that the engagement was not a witch hunt platform for the MDAs and councils but to have a frank discussion as far as good governance is concern.

During the session, participants raised a few pressing issues relating to illegal and unregulated mining activities, environmental degradation, youth unemployment, agricultural development, access to quality services, accountability, transparency, and effective local governance. Concerns were expressed regarding the impact of mining operations on local communities, inadequate community consultation, poor service delivery, and limited opportunities for young people in agriculture and other livelihood sectors. Representatives from the various MDAs and the District Council responded to questions and concerns raised by the youth parliamentarians, providing explanations on existing policies, legal frameworks, and ongoing interventions to address these challenges.

Key recommendations emerging from the session included: Strengthening monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to address illegal mining activities and ensure compliance with mining laws and regulations. Increasing community participation and consultation in decisions relating to mining operations and local development projects. Enhancing transparency and accountability in the management of public resources and service delivery. Expanding support for youth engagement in agriculture through access to training, technology, finance, and markets. Establishing regular dialogue platforms between local authorities, government institutions, and young people to promote inclusive governance and sustainable development.

He reaffirmed ASJD's commitment to promoting youth participation, social accountability, and good governance, while encouraging stakeholders to act on the recommendations to improve the lives of children and young people in the district.

During the session, participants raised several pressing issues relating to illegal and unregulated mining activities, environmental degradation, youth unemployment, agricultural development, access to quality services, accountability, transparency, and effective local governance. Concerns were expressed regarding the impact of mining operations on local communities, inadequate community consultation, poor service delivery, and limited opportunities for young people in agriculture and other livelihood sectors. The session concluded with a collective call for stronger collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations, community leaders, and young people to address emerging governance challenges and advance sustainable development.