As part of an event to mark International Youth Day held Friday, 12th August 2022, a youth-led group known as Activista within the federation of ActionAid Ghana has made a strong case for more opportunities to be created for the youth in all spheres of life including decision making.
Having marched through the principal streets of Bolgatanga to create awareness of the need for the protection of the environment with placards some of which read, “save our planet, save our future”, “let’s plant trees”, “let’s be part of the solution, not the pollution,” amongst others in a bid to help achieve climate justice, the group also called for steps to be taken to give young people the opportunity to live decent lives.
Nearly 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25, making Africa the world’s youngest continent with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30.
This number for many including the Activista Upper East chapter can be a blessing or a curse depending on the ability of stakeholders to harness the energy that comes with having a youthful population.
With this year’s theme for the international youth day being; “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages,” the group called for constitutional amendments to bring the age for contesting the presidency down to 35 years as seen in countries like Nigeria among others who have amended their constitution to allow for more youth participation in governance.
In a statement to the media in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Coordinator for Activista Ghana, Nicholas Nambirigya Azebire called on government and parliament to ensure the necessary amendments to the constitution that will allow young Ghanaians of sound mind who attain the age of 35 years the opportunity to contest for the presidency if they so desire.
“We, therefore, use International Youth Day to call for the creation of safe spaces for the youth and for the amendment of Article 62 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which states that “a person shall not be qualified for election as the president of Ghana unless: (a) is a citizen of Ghana by birth. (b) has attained the age of forty years”.
Without malice, if as a country, we feel comfortable electing leaders in their 60s, 70s, and the like, who by law should have retired and resting as presidents, we should not have difficulty electing a 35-year-old as president since such a person per the natural order has more days to live and would be mindful of his or her policies and curb corruption so as to not suffer the negative consequences of the rotten system created while in office for the rest of his or her life.
We use this opportunity to call on the government and parliament to make the necessary amendments to allow for more youth participation. The youth cannot only be good enough to be used to cause mayhem,” the regional coordinator intimated.
While calling on the powers that be to help tackle unemployment since that poses huge security risks to Ghana and the African continent, he also urged the youth to desist from engaging in acts such as drugs and substance abuse, criminal acts, and allowing themselves to be used by politicians for the wrong reasons.
“We equally call for measures to be taken to address the growing unemployment, and address challenges due to the rising cost of living since that place the youth in a vulnerable position.
To the youth of Ghana, Africa, and the entire globe, we must as a people aspiring to effect change and lead our communities conduct ourselves well, take education and skills training seriously, be respectful and assertive, and aspire for greater heights.
We should therefore do away with acts such as drug and substance abuse, involving ourselves in criminal activities like robbery, and allowing ourselves to be used by politicians for their parochial interest”, Mr. Azebire admonished.
