The African Cultural Development Association (ACDA) lauds the successes of the Young Leaders of Agricola and is particularly pleased about the large turnout at a gospel concert it held recently.
The group which was created from the ACDA IDB Youth Leadership Pro-gramme said the concert was held under the theme ‘He Reigns Forever’ in collaboration with United Prayer Rally for Agricola, a press release said. Four pastors attended the concert which also saw some 300 youth in the audience. It was supported by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Elim Pentecostal Church, Open Door Bible Way and other churches as well as private sector entities in the area such as Namilco, Sol, Noble House Seafoods, Docol, Caribbean Inter-national Distributors and Continental group. The Guyana Defence Force and Ministry of Education including staff from St Anne’s Primary also participated.
ACDA representative Eric Phillips said he was proud of the way Milton Smith, the leader of the Agricola group, had incorporated the lessons he learnt during his year-long programme at ACDA, into making the event a success. He lauded Smith’s networking with donors and the private sector to host the event successfully and singled him out as an example of how youth leaders can revitalise their communities.
Phillips said the community is still plagued with joblessness and is still trying to recover from being highly stigmatised due to a perceived association with gunmen.
However, he said there is still much social cohesion among the ethnically mixed community because of steps residents had taken as well as the hosting of events such as these.
According to the release the Young Leaders of Agricola has been one of the most successful youth groups in the country.
It has been instrumental in a number of activities and hosts a weekly mentorship programme that offers life-skills lectures, sport, film shows, community outreach and literacy and leadership training.
These programmes have been part of the group’s agenda since it was launched in February 2009.
