Osei-Kusi Foundation urges youth to be patriotic

Accra, May 17, GNA - The Executive President of the Osei-Kusi Foundation (OKF), Dr Kofi Osei-Kusi has expressed worry about the decline of patriotism and volunteerism in the country.

In statement issued by the Foundation and copied to the Ghana News Agency, he described the trend as unfortunate, adding that patriotism is not all about flying a country's flag or singing the national anthem passionately but, demonstrating loyalty at any given time.

The statement said the President who was addressing a seminar held by OKF for final year students of the Wesley Girls' Senior High School on the theme: 'Patriotism and Volunteerism,' pointed out that patriotism which originated from the Greek word 'patris' means displaying love and loyalty towards ones country.

Dr Osei-Kusi said without patriotism, citizens of a country could not succeed.

'It took patriotic men and women to fight for the independence of our country, and it will take patriotic citizens to ensure the long term survival of the nation', he was quoted as saying.

The girls were made to understand that volunteerism is one of the key ways through which love and loyalty for the country could be exhibited.

Most of the students, said they were touched by the event and expressed their interest to volunteer to help in the hospitals or teach after school.

GNA