Opinions of Friday, 19 July 2024
Columnist: Dr. Think Twice
Ghanaians should expect a demonstration against the mounting unnecessary societal pressures they place on one another. These pressures, often outside constitutional mandates, create problems and must be critically addressed. The initiative will also focus on employment as a solution.
Mr. Ernest Birmeh, known as Dr. Think Twice, the Executive Director of Think Twice Africa Consult and a renowned expert and consultant, will lead a one-man demonstration in the streets of Accra on July 24, 2024.
He aims to highlight the detrimental societal pressures Ghanaians impose on each other, such as intrusive questions about marriage, childbirth, personal possessions, and financial status.
These pressures lead to unplanned births, mental health issues, suicides, crime, and environmental destruction. In-law demands and relationship pressures further exacerbate these problems.
The demonstration will be held with full police protection in Accra. A petition to the Speaker of Parliament, through the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, is currently underway.
The petition aims to inform Parliament of plans to address these outdated sociocultural values through self-employment initiatives.
Thousands of youth in densely populated constituencies will receive training to tackle these societal pressures on the ground. Additionally, another group will be trained to handle child behaviour issues.
The concept of tackling unnecessary societal pressures through employment generation and separating individual responsibilities from politics is expected to significantly reduce unemployment and solve multiple problems in the country.
Dr. Think Twice calls on individuals and well-meaning Ghanaians to support this initiative with logistics to make this vision a reality.