The
Asutifi Graduates and Students’ Union(AGSU) is a Network of Graduates
Associations, Students Associations, Youth Associations and Young Women
Associations and Affiliate Organisations in Asutifi North and South District in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. The network was formed in August, 2009
following the need for community based organizations involving graduates, youth,
students and women associations to form a common network to engage stakeholders on issues affecting the communities particularly the vulnerable, girls, children and youth. AGSU is a member of Network of Ahafo Youth Associations(NAYAS) and Network of African Youths for Development(NAYD).
The main objective of developing
a district youth and students network was to coordinate and forge a stronger voice of community
based organisations to effectively influence the management and sustainability
of human resources development, natural resources development and
socio-economic development.
The network which has a 7-member
steering committee and a Coordinator undertakes the following activities:
a. Consensus Building : Organizing a District conference on education
and youth development to harmonize the various positions of civil society.
b. Research: Solid, forward-looking research on issues of concern (governance,
human rights, environment, Gender etc.)
in the District to provideplatform for
informed public debates and advocacy.
c. Policy advocacy and Inputs: Organizing an interface with
stakeholders (government, companies, donor agencies, etc) to make inputs to
ongoing plan of actions in the District that affect the general health and
totality of children, youth and women.
d. Information Sharing: Setting up mechanism for ongoing sharing and
dissemination of information on development relating to oil and gas.
e. Campaigns: Engaging communities about management of Resources, the
environment and Human Resources development and taking their views to
stakeholders.
f. Publications: Publishing recommendations and policy positions of
the Network through mass media.
Since its formation, the Network
has been engaged on critical development issues particularly regarding
development vulnerable youth and women by stakeholders.
The main achievement so far
include the successful consultation on sustainable development ,advocacy on
transparency ,consultations on community development and human resource
development management proposalsand the
publication of analysis of proposals for educating members and the general
public.
The Network is already working
with both local and international partners including African Women in Development, Clean up the
World, African Library Project and National Youth Authority(NYA), National
Service Secretariat, Asutifi District Assemblies, Ghana Education Service , District
Health Centre and other Secondary Schools in the District.
The current supporters of the network which include Humanlink Management Institute, Global Alliance for
Development Foundation and National Youth Authority have been consulting with the leadership of
the network on issues of common voice and coalition building, human Resource development, sustainable community development and the development of
appropriate mechanism for sustainable development ,youth empowerment, environment protection , children and gender Initiatives among others.
In the next decade, Children,
Women, and Youth in the communities will be faced with issues alarming diseases
including Malaria, HIV/AIDs, and Cholera etc, emerging social vices and rampant
child labour and trafficking and teenage pregnancy due to the illegal mining
activities called “Galamsey”. These require institution of education and health
platforms, establishment of women and youth empowerment centres and fund
mobilization for the support of children particularly the girl-child in
education and health matters.
The districts will also be faced
with issues of translating the revenue from mines into lasting benefits for its
citizens. These requires budgetary decisions based on alternative mining
revenue allocation options, value for money, environmental sustainability,
social development and the implementation of comprehensive local content
policy.
OUR VISION
To see Asutifi as a model where
available resources have been effectively used as a catalyst for poverty
reduction, vulnerable restoration, wealth creation, and sustainable development
of the people.
OUR MISSION
A Community-led and inclusive graduates, students, youth and young women network existing to empower its
people and provide a high quality representative membership and voluntary
services to enhance sustainable developments of communities and effective management
of resources.
.
OUR OBJECTIVES
1. To champion social, economic and environmental issues
2. To develop the capacity of CBOs and communities to engage policy
formulation and
implementation.
3. To promote women and youth empowerment in communities.
4. To promote communities participation in initiatives towards the
development of
youth, children and young women.
5. To work towards the maintenance of good and healthy stakeholders’
relationship
