'Economic Potential Of The Youth Has Been Undermined'

The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Peace Council (NPC), Right Reverend (Professor) Emmanuel Kwaku Asante says, the economic potential of the youth in the country are hugely undermined by illiteracy, unemployment and some pockets of violence conflicts in some parts of the country.

Rev Emmanuel Asante said it is always difficult when we talk about peace and achieve peace whiles the majority of the youth in the country are unemployed and wallowing in poverty.

According to him, the situation as it is, is a threat to the national security for which he urged to the government, chiefs, religious bodies, civic society organizations and other institutions to help arrest the situation.

Rev Emmanuel Asante said this when he was delivering his message at the Brong-Ahafo Regional Peace Council symposium to mark this year’s International Peace Day celebration in Sunyani.

It was attended by Civic Society Organizations, Religious bodies, security agencies, politicians, Chiefs and Queen Mothers, market women and school children.

The Day was under the Theme, “Together for peace, Respect for safety and Dignity for All”.

Touching on the theme, the Peace Council Chairman stated that, whiles the theme itself is a call for reflection on peace; it also calls for our attention to the threats and challenges of peace, security and safety of all people at the global level, in our sub-region and especially in Ghana.

Presenting a paper on the effects of violent conflicts on economies and nations, Mr. Emmanuel Ansu Twum, the Head of United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) Field Unit , Sunyani said, it effects are deaths, problem of reconstruction, Refugees problem, poverty and unemployment.

Mr. Ansu Twum said these conflicts can only be minimized if not eradicated if steps like dialogue, committed and sincere leadership, even distribution of resources, promotion of rule of law, protection of fundamental human rights, equal access to qualitative education, provision of gainful employment for the youths and payment of adequate remuneration to Civic servants which can help to minimize corruption and violent conflicts in the long run, are taken seriously.

He commended the NPC, the media, security services and various Civic Society Organizations in Ghana for the immense efforts being marshaled to keep the stability and peace in Ghana.