Visionary leadership can salvage youth from waywardness
THE Ghana Network for Peace-building (GHANEP), also known as WANEP Ghana, has noted with concern the recent spate of violence in some parts of the country, mostly arising from conflicts over land, chieftaincy and politics.
The network is especially worried about the involvement of the youth and some Fulani herdsmen in these acts of aggression.
Whilst the youth have been embroiled in most of these violent actions by fighting for the interests of politicians, chiefs, business owners, and other interested parties, the Fulani herdsmen have been cited in criminal activities, including rape, murder, armed robbery, destruction of farms and cattle rustling.
One may suggest that providing the youth with jobs and preventing them from abusing drugs and alcohol could help solve the problem, but GHANEP is of the opinion that something more than these needs to be done - this is LEADERSHIP.
The nation needs a renewed leadership that would redeem the youth from violence and also appropriately address the menace of Fulani herdsmen.
GHANEP is therefore calling on the nation's political leadership, chiefs and local government authorities to exhibit traits of leadership that would enable the nation deal appropriately with these security challenges.
First of all, GHANEP is calling for LEADERSHIP THAT FROWNS ON IMPUNITY.
We are challenging our leaders to develop the clout to condemn the actions of their followers when they go wrong and allow them to face the full rigours of the law.
When leaders publicly issue statements to justify and defend the actions of the 'black sheep' in their fold, it emboldens the youth to take similar paths by acting violently, having at the back of their minds that there is someone to shield them from the long arm of the law.
Similarly, when we fail to deal ruthlessly with offending Fulani herdsmen, it encourages them to continue to unleash violence and engage in criminal activities.
GHANEP is also calling for LEADERSHIP THAT ENCOURAGES INDUSTRIOUSNESS AND SHUNS LAZINESS.
Unfortunately, some of our leaders feel rather comfortable to provide sheds for their followers to sit idle and be accessible to them (the politicians) all the time. If our leaders sow a culture that makes young people feel lazy to work, they would be expected to feed the youth and if they fail to do so, the youth would take the nation to ransom.
Again, GHANEP holds the opinion that Ghana needs LEADERSHIP THAT TREATS ALL FOLLOWERS WITH THE SAME MEASURE OF YARD STICK, IRRESPECTIVE OF ETHNIC, POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS OR ANY FORM OF AFFILIATION.
In a system, where a group of people feel alienated or marginalised, they tend to act in ways that breaches to peace. They tend not to support the development agenda of the country, unless it is headed by people who they perceive as friendly to their cause.
Our leaders must appreciate the history of the nation and understand that the nation-state idea would not work if all sides are not brought on board.
When people feel involved and recognised, they use peaceful means to express their concerns, because they know they would be listened to; violence is therefore not an option.
Development must encompass all constituents of society and resources must not be concentrated on some sections, whiles others are abandoned or short-changed.
Such actions could result in social uprisings, mostly championed by the youth who reside in areas that are disadvantaged, especially slum areas.
GHANEP is again entreating our leaders to be INNOVATIVE when it comes to employment. Young people in all parts of the country have various talents and innovations, which if nurtured would enable them to realise their dreams and, consequently, be less inclined to act violently.
We are therefore challenging our leaders to have constant interaction with the youth in their areas so as to identify these talents and explore avenues of developing them.
It is possible for Ghana to groom its own Bill Gates, Tiger Woods and Bill Grahams.
Last but not least, Ghana is yearning for the type of LEADERSHIP THAT DOES NOT LOOK INWARD, BUT
CONSIDERS THE BIGGER PICTURE.
In other words, the youth need leaders who are not self-centred or negligent. Our leaders must understand the implications of their actions and realise that helping some people advance their interests to the detriment of the larger society is inimical to development.
If our leaders continue to allow some Fulani herdsmen to pose a threat to security just because of the personal benefits they get from these herdsmen, we would one day be licking our wounds.
We are therefore praying upon our leaders to act swiftly to prosecute Fulani herdsmen who act irresponsibly, in spite of their influence.
GHANEP is optimistic that by exhibiting these traits of leadership, the country would be able to nurture the youth into peace-loving and industrious citizens and equally nip in the bud the nefarious activities of some Fulani herdsmen.
PEACE QUOTES
1. When two Brothers fight, Strangers always reap the harvest
2. If there are good rules and order in a society then we don?t need law and punishment.
3. Peace is like a black fowl which must always be searched and found before darkness falls.
4. We have the ability to achieve, if we master the necessary goodwill, a common global society blessed with a shared culture of peace that is nourished by the ethnic, national and local diversities that enrich our lives.
5. Peace is a never-ending process, the work of many decisions by many people in many countries. It is an attitude, a way of life, a way of solving problems and resolving conflicts. It cannot be forced on the smallest nation or enforced by the largest. It cannot ignore our differences or overlook our common interests. It requires us to work and live together.
BY GHANA NETWORK FOR PEACE-BUILDING (GHANEP)