Samira inspires youth to dream big

Samira Bawumia, wife of NPP running mate Mahamudu Bawumia, has charged the nation's youth to grab every opportunity to increase their stock of knowledge in order to actualise their plans for self development in the future.

Addressing students of the Islamic University over the weekend Mrs Bawumia assured that an Akufo-Addo presidency will build on the educational policies of the Kufuor administration to provide the skilled indigenous manpower necessary for accelerated national development.

Mrs Bawumia was one of the speakers at a symposium organised by the Tertiary Education Confederacy of the university college on the theme "The role of the youth in national development.'

According to the organizers, they see Mrs. Bawumia as a role model for young Moslem women to emulate. 

Hours before the programme was scheduled to start, the assembly hall of the Islamic University College was bursting at the seams with students, both TESCON and non-TESCON members. Several of the non TESCON students intimated that they were going to vote for the NPP in the coming elections because they feel that with someone close to their ages that high up in Government, the administration"s policies would be youth sensitive.

Citing illiteracy as the worst disease imaginable, she said the countries which gained independence around the same time as Ghana were far ahead in terms of development because of the concentration of their governments on education.

 The more educated this country becomes the faster our development will be.

'Initiative is important. The ability to think outside the box is imperative in this global village if one is to succeed. 

 In this light I urge you to use your education which will broaden your knowledge and sharpen your intellect to good use,' Mrs Bawumia said. She cited Prince Kofi Amoabeng of Unique Trust and Edward Boateng, creator of the CNN/African Journalist Awards as examples of people who have thought outside the box to their immense benefit.

'Your presence here today is, I believe an indication that you want to determine your future. To me investing in the political process is an investment in the future.'

She assured them Nana Akufo-Addo had pledged to make sure that the youth have a say at all levels of decision making in his government if voted into power.

 This is clearly spelt in the party's recently launched manifesto.

Touching on health, Samira asked them to be conscious of their inner as well as outer health as both contribute to make an individual whole.

Ensuring this, she said, had become easer since the implementation by the Kufuor administration of the National Health Insurance Scheme.

On tolerance and peace, Samira said there was every indication the NPP will win the December polls.

'The NPP has presented the best government to Ghanaians since Independence.

In addition the good ideas that Nana Akufo-Addo is presenting to the electorate is what will win the day.'

She cautioned, however, 'It takes two to fight so say no to violence of any form be it election time or any other time.

 Let us help to entrench Ghana's democracy. The elections are not about machismo and brawn but rather about who has the proven capability and ideas to move this country forward.

I urge you all to be apostles of the NPP preaching its good word from door to door, and classroom to classroom.'

The TESCON president of the University College urged TESCON members across the country go to the grassroots to explain the policies and programmes of an Akufo-Addo presidency.

Also in attendance was the MP for the area Opare Hammond, Adentan constituency chairman Kweku Obiri Yeboah and some NPP Greater Accra Regional Executives including Vida Dugbattey.