Sunyani Queenmother Marks 60th Birthday

THE PARAMOUNT queenmother of the Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Yaa Nyamaa II, has held a forum with the youth in Sunyani as part of activities marking the celebration of her 60th birthday.

Nana Yaa Nyamaa, who was installed queenmother at the age of 17, used the occasion to assemble students, traditional leaders and members of the public at the Sunyani Polytechnic Auditorium on Friday to educate the young ones, especially the females, on the need to take their education seriously and avoid vices that would prevent them from achieving their future aspirations.

The paramount queenmother maintained that the event was also meant to empower the youth to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Nana Yaa Nyamaa II was of the view that modernization had somehow corrupted the moral substance of most Ghanaian youth, and called for a collaborative effort to address the issue.

She indicated that the welfare of the youth should be of a paramount concern to all, especially parents, since that would reflect in the advancement of the society.

'I'm worried about our youth because all is not well with them. Their conduct leaves much to be desired. Teachers, parents, Nananom and everybody has a role to play to ensure that our youth don't get out of hands,' she urged.

As part of her 60^th birthday celebration, the Nana Yaa Nyamaa II will lead a general clean-up exercise in Sunyani on May 2, visit the orphanages on May 9, and launch her charity foundation on May 10.

Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), Michael Amponsah, advised parents to serve as role models for their children.

Speaking on the topic, 'The Role of Parents in Modelling the Youth for Development,' Mr. Amponsah noted that some parents shirk their responsibility of training their children, thereby expecting teachers and religious leaders to mold the characters of their own children.

He asserted that parents have a responsibility to mold the characters and personalities of their children, impart knowledge to them, create conducive environment for their development, encourage them, build good relationship with them and discipline them when necessary.

The guest speaker, Nana Agyapong Brobbey, Gyasehene of Mim Traditional Area, stressed that the youth are the future leaders of the nation and therefore, it is the responsibility of parents to nurture them to become responsible.

He admonished the youth to make good use of technology and the social media instead of using them negatively.

Present at the function was Nana Abena Boatemaa, Paramount Queenmother of Odomase No.1 Traditional Area who doubles as President of National Association of Women Traditional Leaders. She is also the President of Paramount Queenmothers Association of Brong-Ahafo.

FROM Fred Tettey Alarti-Amoako, Sunyani

Email: [email protected]