Ghana’s High Commissioner to Australia has urged Ghanaians wherever they find themselves in the world to invest in the youth so that the nation can live the ideals that young people are truly the future.

Mrs Mercy Debrah-Karikari says the youth should be mentored and encouraged to take Ghana’s development seriously. She was speaking at a church service in Sydney, Australia, to commemorate the 59th anniversary of Ghana’s independence.

“Values that matter and are important are some of the most treasured legacies we can leave our young people,” Mrs Debrah-Karikari told the 500-strong Ghanaians who donned traditional clothing to mark the day at the Royal Presbyterian Church of Ghana.

The high commissioner noted that while the government of Ghana has serious challenges, Ghanaians must help the government by making the task less difficult by being more law abiding.

“Not all difficulties and problems can be blamed on government. Ghanaians must examine themselves and adjust their attitudes and behaviours accordingly.”

She thanked the chiefs and the general community for a positive portrayal of Ghana's traditions and culture by displaying the world-famous kente designs through their outfit for all of Australia to see and admire.

In a sermon Rev Ransford Awuku-Gyampoh, the minister in charge, lamented that Ghana as a nation was sick and needed total redemption from the depths into which it had sunk.

“Ghana has a problem. We rise, and we fall. We can’t totally blame the NDC, NPP or CPP for the ills in the Ghanaian society. What will the founding fathers of Ghana say to us if they were to suddenly see Ghana of today?”, he added.

Speaking on the theme “Independence without God is meaningless, Rev Awuku-Gyampoh urged the country’s leaders to sit up and make changes in areas of the economy and society that were ineffective.

“Get rid of the red tape that sometimes takes an individual several months to register a business. If it’s lack of personnel to tackle the workload at the responsible agency, why not put on more staff and let them work two or three shifts of eight hours a day as it’s the case in some countries?”

He touched on the scourge of unemployment in Ghana, noting that universities and other tertiary institutions churn our hundreds of graduates every year but there are no jobs available in the system.

“We need to break the culture that one needs a paper certificate to enter the workforce. Let’s equip our youth with technical skills that will give them the confidence and support to set up their own businesses.”

The “Africana Service” which had a dress code of kente and other traditional wear, was graced by the Benkumhene of Berekum in Brong Ahafo, Nana Amankwah and Asantefuohene of Australia Nana Fropia Amankwatia II.

A day earlier, Mrs Debrah-Karikari had addressed the Ghanaian community at a town hall meeting at the Living Word Worship Centre in Sydney. The high commissioner was accompanied at the functions by Mr Hakeem Balogun, Minister/Counsellor at the high commission.

Source:
Martin Sannah Kwakwa
Sydney, Australia