The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in partnership with the Ghana Education Service on Monday opened the 2014 Human Rights and integrity camp.

The five-day camp, which is the fourth in the series, brought together students from 60 Schools from the Regions to purposefully focus on the theme: “Youth as Ambassadors of Social Change”.

The overreaching objectives of the Camp are to empower the youth with sound leadership values, which are premised on respect for human rights, integrity and patriotism, and also develop them into agents of social change in their respective schools and communities.

Mr. Richard Quayson, Deputy Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, said the vision of CHRAJ is to see a society that is truly free, just, and equitable.

According to him, human rights and integrity are so foundational to modern democracies that all societies are now taking steps to entrench them as a way of life.

As leaders in waiting, the youth’s understanding and appreciation of a free society, rights and responsibilities of citizens will go a long way to enhance and sustain good governance and promote equity and fairness in the country.

“We in Ghana know too well the high price we are paying for unmitigated corruption and abuse of power. Corruption appears to have taken control over every sphere of life, and the media reports are as alarming as the incidents of corruption themselves,” he said.

He said “sometimes, one gets the impression that we are not sincere with our efforts at combating corruption or not prioritising the fight against corruption”.

Mr. Quayson expressed worry over the insufficient investment in the fight against corruption and in the prevention of human rights abuses, saying wishful thinking by itself will not save the nation from the situation unless better strategies are adopted, targeting the youth as the main drivers of this change.

He said there is the need to inculcate into the youth. a strong culture and values of integrity and respect for human rights and human dignity, as part of the long strategy for upholding integrity and combating corruption.

He said CHRAJ would therefore pursue this course, using the Human Rights and Integrity Clubs in first and second cycle schools across the country as a platform for the youth to discuss and deepen their understanding of integrity and human rights issues.

According to him the camp is expected to provide participants with further opportunities to develop soft skills such as self –esteem, assertiveness, respect and non-discrimination, and to validate the values of integrity and respect for human dignity.

Ms Dorothy Glover, Acting Director, Ghana Education Service, said youth involvement in decisions making that concerns them is crucial for building acceptance and a sense of ownership of policies and regulations that affect their lives.