chrisk.art.blog

It was an international stage, at the independent Square in Accra, which was organized by the Global Citizen Festival to accentuate the world’s attention on the eradication of poverty. The event that saw many patrons in attendance was marred by a controversy which, as usual, took a political twist.

The President of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo Danquah Akufo, was in attendance to deliver a keynote address. Unfortunately, he was booed by some sections of the spectators. This singular act was not taken lightly by the adherents of the New Patriotic Party. The party claimed the jeering at the president was orchestrated by the opposition National Democratic Congress, a claim they have refuted.

Anyways, I do not condone any such acts done to anybody no matter their political persuasions. But who am I to say that some Ghanaians who feel their grievances and suffering are not being remedied should not boo at a president they think does not listen?

Just when this was to get settled, Adansi-Asokwa Mugabe, K.T Hammond, reacting to the booing at the president, referred to the youth as having empty heads, and are not fit to lead the nation. This exacerbated the anger in many Ghanaians, especially the youth.

Many have not taken kindly at his assertion, that the youth of Ghana are dullards for which reason they are incapable of leading the country. I agree with those who disagree with him. As young as I am, I believe firmly that the youth, when given the opportunity and the right environment, can grow and lead Ghana better into prosperity than the current show of poor leadership. That is not to berate the role of the elderly in society, far from it.

We have seen the likes of Hon. Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa whose leadership as a young MP proves beyond doubt that there are equally capable young ones who can lead the country.

It is evident, looking at all sectors of the Ghanaian economy, that some youths working there are doing exceptionally well. It is therefore unthinkable for anyone to suggest otherwise.

I was also infuriated, and scandalised by the remarks made by the MP just like all others who saw the reaction of K.T Hammond because I am a firm believer in the capabilities of the youth of this country. This wild claim is a clear indication that the youth is a second thought by those at helms of affairs.

However, after I did some introspection, I also want to agree with him partly. I would have concurred with him entirely should he say some of the youths have “empty coconuts heads” and are not capable of leading the nation.

You may take offence for K.T Hammond’s annoying assertion like I did when I first read about it. Yet it holds some significant amount of truth in it.

We are in this country where some of the youths, with vehemence, defend corrupt political officials with whom they associate. The political parties in Ghana have trained their fanatics, mostly the youth, to defend every action of their political parties irrespective of its reasonableness or otherwise. They mount platforms to defend corrupt acts perpetrated by members of their political parties. So long as that thing is done by their parties, they, in high spirits, defend it. How do such blinded-servile political sycophants ever lead this nation? Are you then taken aback when some youths of NPP stood up to the defence of the K.T Hammond after he had told them[the youth] that they cannot lead this nation because they are empty-headed in his own flawed estimation?

K. T Hammond could not have been wrong entirely about his assertions about some youths of this country. As a seasoned political player as he is, he is fully aware that despite his inability to deliver his promises to the people of his constituency, the youth there will campaign, queue and vote for him so long as he puts himself for elections. K.T Hammond is aware that all it takes is to deceive them with some crumbs, then it becomes a done deal for him. Such youth, in his assessment cannot lead any country. Majority of the youth of this country keep voting deceitful and thieving politicians who do not deliver on their promises yet get recycled in every election cycle. He knows the youth are very desperate for jobs. They therefore capitalise on this desperation to make promises to them for votes but fail to deliver. However, they get no pressure from the youth to account for their stewardship.

I need someone to convince me about this. How does the youth who are armed [loosely] to attack every credible voice who dare criticize their political party, lead? The political parties in Ghana have gained notoriety for arming their foot soldiers to pelt invectives at persons who are perceived to be criticizing the policies of government. The youth certainly cannot lead a country like Ghana with such unpatriotic attitudes. They are being used as conduits for character assassination. They attack the personality of persons who took decades of toil to build.

Someone should convince me. How does any youth lead this country when they go on empty stomachs to insult and attack those who are fighting against malpractices, and maladministration of the country? The political parties have infused the malaise of servitudes into their party sycophants, bootlickers and foot soldiers to put their party symbols first before country. For this, anybody perceived to be fighting the injustices, malpractices and mismanagement of the nation is deemed anti-party.

These hungry unemployed lots, surf on social media solely to attack critical voices who are fighting to make the system work better. An unemployed graduate will attack someone who criticises the government for not creating enough job opportunities for the youth. Is this not ironical, yet not surprising?

In brief, looking at K.T Hammond’s annoying assertion at a different perspective, one will be left with no choice but to conclude that he is somewhat not wrong.

The youths who defend corrupt political officials, queue and vote thieving and lying politicians, used as conduit for character assassination of credible voices and insulting people who are fighting malpractices and maladministration of the country, certainly cannot lead this country