INEWSGHANA.COM THE ATTITUDES OF THE YOUTH TODAY - A REFLECTION OF GHANA'S TOMORROW

Gone are the days where the youth of Ghana used to be patriotic and culturally minded. Today, patriotism is expressed only during national events or august occasions. The framers and builders of our nation saw the wisdom in scribbling the words “Arise Ghana YOUTH!” not leaders. The youth of Ghana, (15-34) per the 2010 population census constitute more than 50% of the nation which implies that majority of the development, rehabilitation and maintenance of our beloved nation rests on the YOUTH!

The nation can move forward positively if only the youth take pride in it at all times and exhibit a positive attitude towards maintenance culture. Corruption, bribery, armed robbery and other social vices have become the haven of comfort living for the youth.

Respect and discipline which were our hallmark and pride have been lost in the marbles of modernization.

The actions and inactions of the youth today, can be used to determine the future of the nation tomorrow. During the olden days, there were no supervisory bodies because we were each other’s keeper. The norms, cultural and moral values of our great nation were vested in the youth. Most youth, if not all, had a sense of responsibility of moving the nation to a fulfilling destination.

Now, they talk, dress and behave anyhow, all in the name of Human Rights

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The media have contributed massively to the negative attitudes of the youth today. They do not promote patriotic programmes. Their programmes, which are mostly based on entertainment, include most things which pose as threats that influence the lives of the youth.

We are mostly moved by what we see and what we see, eventually become our actions. We unconsciously copy and practice what we see and hear.

For instance, when we watch or listen to educative programmes that end up giving us vocabularies, we turn to unconsciously use some of the words in our speech. Until someone prompts us to know the meaning of the word or where we heard them from, we never realize it. Even most of the time, we do not remember where we heard or learnt them from. The only thing we may remember is that we hardly or have never used that word/vocabulary before.

The same applies to the negative programmes the media presents to us.

There are no defined roles given to us as a nation. The youth are more energetic, vibrant and enthusiastic. There are avenues, job opportunities and diverse directions offered to the youth. Technology, books and other social media platforms are all avenues where the youth can delve into making positive changes in the nation.

Today, vibrant youth who share their thoughts and opinions are associated to one political party or the other. This silences the youth! The youth are not oblivious of the on-going political tags affiliated to anyone who speaks and behaves in a way with the positive notion of moving the nation forward.

I therefore totally agree with Steve Kubate, (immediate-past GUPS president), who writes on the "My JCR" page, Saturday 16^th February, 2013 on his topic, “The Role of Ghana Youth (part one)”. He said,

“For the youth to adequately contribute to nation building the following should be instituted.

First of all, one critical area their energies can be channeled is AGRICULTURE. The government can create schemes or programmes connected at raising the level of production in agriculture. The youth maybe assigned the job of dissemination of knowledge for better new farming techniques and proper use of fertilizers and pesticides. What is important is for them to be given adequate training in these tasks.

Another field where their energy can be gainfully employed is the task of ADULT EDUCATION. It is my conviction that when they are given a little dose of incentive or encouragement and support so they may take over the great responsibility of fulfilling the tasks fixed by the government. Their services may similarly be utilized by government for preventing and fighting crime like internet fraud, hoarding, smuggling, human trafficking and black marketing among others.
They can create public opinion against those who engage in such criminal practices, thereby contributing in making the world a better place”.

He was absolutely right in fishing out these areas that contribute to making Ghana and the world at large a better place.

Then there exists the National Association of Unemployed Graduates. I believe dues and contributions are paid by the members of this association. My worry is that, why can’t this association fish out entrepreneurs amongst themselves and build up enterprises. This will create more job opportunities for most of their members as well as revenues and the like.

We always want to wait for the government to set up initiatives forgetting that we are all a part of the bigger umbrella called GOVERNMENT!

Ghanaian youth MUST arise! We must arise and build for there is a solution to every problem.

Arise Ghana youth for your country

The nation demands your devotion

Let us all unite to uphold her

And make her GREAT and STRONG

We are all involved in

BUILDING OUR MOTHERLAND!

This is the time and moment and indeed………… WE ARE ALL INVOLVED!