All is not lost with TT’s young people

ALTHOUGH THERE have been many negative media reports about youth delinquency and anti-social behaviour, all is not lost with the country’s young people, said Sport and Youth Affairs Minister Roger Boynes when he addressed the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB)-sponsored Tobago House of Assembly’s (THA) Youth Excellence Awards ceremony at the Hilton Tobago. Boynes commended the THA for their foresight and initiative in organising the function to specially honour the achievements of Tobago’s youth.

“This is extremely important. Not only will it serve to motivate other young people to emulate the good work of these awardees, but will provide some hope for the wider population by letting them know all is not lost with our young people in light of the continuous negative reports in the press regarding youth delinquency and other anti-social behaviour,” he said. The Minister announced that a revised National Youth Policy had recently been approved by Cabinet and was earmarked for implementation soon. He also said that with assistance from the JB Fernandes Trust Fund, Government had been able to access US$100,000 for implementation of the policy over the next two years.

Government is going to match that sum, Boynes said, making US$200,000 available for the “inter-strengthening” of youth councils throughout the country leading to the establishment of an umbrella body, the National Youth Council. Awardees were honoured for excellence in education, performing arts, music, visual arts, technical/vocational studies, agriculture, entrepreneurship and youth service, while five persons received special incentive awards. Akielia Nichols and Ronald Quow, students of Happy Haven Special School, were honoured as the Most Outstanding Physically/Mentally Challenged Youths.