Editorial
Human capital, youthful exuberance and national development
There is the need for every country to pay critical attention to the people it has and fight hard to develop the skills of such people; so that they can come together to help develop communities and promote national development.
For the most important assets in every country is the human resource base,
The development of this human resource should not just be academic but also the technical, vocational and other skills, so that a balance can be struck for the overall development of the country.
In Ghana today, the youth form a large section of the population and should not be left to go wayward. This means they need to be directed appropriately, so that their visions in life can be realised or achieved.
Without such programmes, the youth will be found wanting by walking about wasting their talents. This must not be allowed to happen because it is the talents that can be utilised to transform the country.
The youth need to be given hope from time to time, so that they can know society thinks and values them also as an important part of society.
The youth of today have an important role to play as they are responsible for the development of the country at present and for the future. Their forefathers had done what they could to bring them to a certain level of development but they also need to play their part in ensuring that the future is guaranteed for the prosperity of all Ghanaians.
It is in light of this that The Spectator is happy for certain ongoing programmes designed to give hope and direction to the youth of this country. We are aware of a programme taking place in Kumasi which will be under the chairmanship of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene. This is an important programme that must be encouraged, so that the youth will know that they are not left to fend for themselves but be guided to know what it takes to delve into what is good for them and be able to come out with what they can do to shape up the country.
The programme organised under the theme, “The youth, our future hope” signifies the importance of the youth segment of this country and the fact that they need to know that all is not lost. The programme comes off on Friday, April 29, 2022, at the Great Hall of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The programme is not meant for only the youth in that institution but all other young people in Ghana.
The National Youth Authority deserves high commendation for organising such an event and it is the expectation of everyone that its objectives will be achieved, so that the country as a whole will be the ultimate beneficiary within the context of national progress and development.
Long live the youth of this country
Long live Ghana!
Dear Editor,
Walking along roads in some parts of the capital has become increasingly challenging.
While trading on pedestrian walkways remains a concern in certain areas, the parking of vehicles on road shoulders also poses a serious risk to pedestrians.
Often, pedestrians are forced to walk dangerously close to these parked vehicles or even step into the middle of the road to make way for oncoming traffic.
This situation is not only frustrating but also highly unsafe.
I recall an incident when I alighted at a lorry station and was walking home. A Tata bus was approaching, and due to vehicles parked on both sides of the road, I had nowhere to walk safely.
The situation became so dangerous that I had to quickly jump into a nearby shop to avoid being knocked down by the oncoming Tata bus.
That experience was frightening and could have easily resulted in an accident.
In my view, it is time for authorities in the road sector, such as the National Road Safety Authority and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, to take urgent action to address this issue and prevent possible loss of life.
Strict enforcement measures, including towing improperly parked vehicles and imposing substantial fines, would serve as a deterrent to offenders.
From Ray
Adabraka
Dear Editor,
I wish to use this column of your respected newspaper to appeal to the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to consider bringing back the practice where students stayed home for some months after completing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Within that period where they stay home for some time and wait for their results, it afforded parents some time to prepare and save towards the next move in the academic life of their children.
In recent times, students are quickly admitted into Senior High School immediately after their examinations, leaving little time for parents and guardians to adequately prepare financially and emotionally for the next stage of their children’s education.
Many parents, therefore struggle to buy school items such as chop boxes, trunks, mattresses, uniforms and other necessities within the short period given.
This situation places pressure on families, especially those with low incomes.
Previously, the break after BECE allowed students to rest after years of academic work while parents and guardians made proper preparations for their wards.
It also gave students enough time to learn vocational skills, assist their families and mature before entering boarding school life.
Bringing back this period will greatly reduce stress on both parents and students and help ensure better preparation for Senior High School education.
And one other thing we have not taken notice of is that within that period, parents also prepare their children mentally and psychologically before they go to school. They are thought how to be independent.
So we see new secondary students displaying an appreciable level of maturity which is missing in this era where they go to senior high schools and still behave like primary school kids.
I hope the authorities will carefully consider this concern in the interest of students, parents and guardians across the country.
By Eugene Ampiaw,
Accra.
