AfricaYouthDay: Why be a foot soldier and not a V8 rider – NPC asks youth

 
The National Peace Council (NPC) has advised the youth of Ghana against getting involved in any activities resulting in violence as the December 7 polls draw near.
The Council indicated that the youth of the country deserve a future with growth and development, which can be achieved if we eschew violence and  pursue peace before, during and after the December 7 polls.
The immediate past Chair of the National Peace Council, Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, speaking to the celebration of the African Youth Day organized by the National Youth Authority, advised young people not to avail themselves to be used by the older political actors for their selfish purposes.
Charging the youth against electoral violence, the Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante was quick to mention that political actors never use their kin to engage in electoral violence but use youth, who avail themselves for such practices.
“In 2012, some youth were involved in political violence and I approached them with a few other stakeholders. When we got there, I asked them how many of you here are children or nephews and nieces of these politicians you’re fighting for and there was dead silence”.
He indicated that the older political actors have their kids studying judiciously and developing themselves to take up the leadership of this country. “But you deserve to follow them, engage in electoral violence on their behalf?”
Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante added that if one gets hurt from electoral violence, these politicians pay one time visits to the injured.
“They’ll come and see you during the first few days of your injury but with time, they’ll not come to you for anything. Why do you want to be a foot soldier and not a V8 rider like them”.
He charged the young people to stand for peace saying, “Engage your future here and now by choosing peace ahead of the elections. Otherwise you will have no future.
The local theme for the 2020 Africa Youth Day, “A peaceful Ghana: Rhetoric, Realities and the Youth Factor” was drawn from the continental theme “Youth Voices, Actions, Engagement: Building a Better Africa” and tailored to suit and reflect the times as an election year.
By: Joel Sanco