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17.12.2013 Feature Article

Youth Indiscipline: A National Tragedy

Youth Indiscipline: A National Tragedy
17.12.2013 LISTEN

Recently the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kumasi, the Most Reverend Justice Gabriel Yaw Anokye, raised fears about the future leadership of Ghana due to the growing acts of indiscipline and negative behavior among the youth.

He said the current acts of indiscipline and social vices among the youth posed a threat to the future leadership and development of the nation and there was the need for all concerned to work together to bring the youth on the right path. He advised the youth to resist peer pressure and bad influences that force them to indulge in negative acts that could ruin their individual and the nation's future.

The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary defines indiscipline as the lack of control in the behaviour of a group of people. Ghana has made efforts to inculcate discipline in her citizens. Earlier in the years of our nationhood, bodies like the Young Pioneers' Movement spearheaded the campaign for discipline and patriotism.

Currently, the National Service Scheme is making an effort in that direction. Other bodies like the Catholic Youth Organization, Girl Guides, and the Red Cross Society are making headway. Our late Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, if not remembered for anything at all, will forever remain the ambassador for the greater discipline campaign.

All these efforts however seem to be yielding insignificant results. It is not uncommon to see some young men and women freely defecating and or urinating in our gutters and obscure corners where they know that no one can see them. People drop litter anywhere even in the full glare of available trash cans. We throw rubbish anywhere and turn around to make all the noise that Zoomlion should clean up the mess we make. The core problem of our dirty and unkempt environment is behavioural constraints.

For some time now, the use of insulting language on the airwaves has become the definition of youthful exuberance and political dexterity. We remember the Kokoase Koraseni, seventeen thieves going to elect the biggest thief and other unsavoury utterances. Most serial callers cannot be left out in this regard. The lack of respect for the elderly make the youth talk to and or about elders in much uncivilized ways. We have suddenly developed insatiable appetite for insulting people including the likes of our fathers and mothers. No elder deserves insults. If we disagree with any of our elders we can ask for clarification on matters that concern us but not through insults. A society that has no respect for its fathers drifts into the abyss of social chaos.

Improper dressing continues to be the norm. Improper dressing, especially the wearing of short skirts and open-chest blouses to expose cleavages by females, as well as the shabby dressing by young men, is a bad practice. Coupled with these is a deformed style of walking popularly called “swag”. If a young person does not conform to these they are seen as colloquial. Improper dressing is one the causes of rape and some other social vices. The issue of improper dressing raises much concern and our leaders must shift their attention to the issue through discussion and national debate. Young people must know that, proper dressing radiates self respect, boosts self confidence, shows maturity, draws positive attention and keeps us wanted by our admirers.

Ironically, we all want to be successful. There can be no success without discipline. Jim Rohn once said “Affirmation without discipline is the beginning of delusion.” Ghana is a great country. Our forebears have toiled to build this country for us. Our nation does not have a future if we do not cultivate the needed discipline that can make us capable of successfully manning the affairs of Ghana in the nearest future. Truly, the nation demands our devotion so we must all unite, uphold her and make Ghana great and strong. We are all involved and greater discipline must lead us on.

God bless our homeland Ghana.

Gabriel Edzordzi Agbozo Is The Director Of
International Affairs At The Beyonders Foundation

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