Ghanaian youth advised to avoid fundamentalism

Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, General Manager, in charge of Newspapers, Daily Graphic, on Tuesday advised Ghanaian youth to avoid fundamentalism and exercise caution since political parties were using them to cause mayhem in the country.

He condemned the use of violence as a means to solving problems and said such action rather complicated matters.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh was speaking at the launch of Peace Vanguards, a humanitarian non-governmental organisation (NGO), which mobilises people in Africa towards ensuring peace during elections and general improvement of the people, in Accra on Tuesday.

He said "If we succumb to the temptation of using violence in our struggle for justice, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long suffering and bitterness".

Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh asked the youth to be rational and analytical in respect with Election 2008.

He called on members of political parties to refrain from violence or unlawful acts in the pursuit of party interest rather they should assist in promoting goodwill, understanding and cooperation.

Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh asked political parties to focus their campaigns on what they could offer when voted into power instead of criticizing other parties for their failures.

He said 'The fact that others are weak does not confer strength on us, unless we are able to establish and prove that".

Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh commended the Peace Vanguard for the launch and encouraged members to work towards social and political development, and to assist in building an orderly constitutional democracy for the Country.

Professor Kwesi Yankah, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, noted that some NGOs have become a pseudonym for needs and stress exploitation, which normally occurred without notice.

He said NGOs like Peace Vanguard that was dedicated to ensuring peace at this delicate phase of the country's political history needed attention and support.

Prof. Yankah said even though the country was enjoying peace there were sings of trouble.

He said politicisation of ethnic conflicts was the biggest threat to peace in Ghana since certain political parties evolved from ethnic groupings.

Prof. Yankah advised members of the NGO be independent to avoid being manipulated by political parties whose main interest was to attain power.
The launch which was dubbed "Peace for all nations" was chaired by Daasebre Oti Boateng, Omanhene of New Juabeng Traditional Area, who is also the life patron of Peace Vanguard.