Opinions of Thursday, 27 June 2024
Columnist: Yao Gomado
The current cohort of Senior High School students, now aged between 15 and 18, and their seniors, the Free SHS graduates, now aged between 19 and 24, were merely 8 to 11 and 12 to 17 years old, respectively, when Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia assumed the highest offices in our nation. They did so on the basis of promises that many now regard as deceptive.
For the past eight years, these young individuals have known no other presidency but that of Akufo-Addo and his vice president, Bawumia. At the time of the 2016 and 2020 elections, they were too young to fully understand the realities and implications behind the campaign promises that were made.
Today, many of these youths may not be aware of the inconsistencies and unfulfilled promises that have marked these past elections. Consequently, they may be particularly vulnerable to the narratives and pledges currently being put forward by Vice President Bawumia, including recent commitments such as providing laptops and tablets to students.
It is crucial that we, as members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), along with concerned grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, and other relatives, take proactive steps to educate and inform our youth. We must ensure that they are aware of the historical context and realities behind the political rhetoric they are exposed to.
We need to engage our young people in thoughtful conversations, equipping them with factual information and fostering critical thinking. It is important to emphasize the significance of scrutinizing political promises and understanding the long-term impact of political leadership on their future.
This is not merely a call to action, but a critical early warning. The youth of today will shape the future of our nation, and it is our responsibility to guide them with honesty and integrity, helping them to make informed decisions that will benefit their generation and the country as a whole.
Recent promises by Dr. Bawumia, such as the distribution of laptops and tablets, should be approached with a critical perspective, given the context of past unmet commitments.
Let us come together in our efforts to cultivate a well-informed and discerning youth population capable of critically evaluating political promises and holding leaders accountable. This is not just a political imperative but a moral duty to our future generations.