The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has given some words of hope to the young and old in the country, Africa and the world at large, in the face of economic difficulties.
According to the President, in life a child falls many times before his or her feet are well grounded enough to walk, stressing that “… that’s a life process. You fall and you get up. You don’t stay down.”
This statement of hope by the President perfectly resonates with the current mood of the nation and the assurance given by the government that there would be light at the end of the tunnel.
The government has faced widespread public criticisms for the economic hardship, a situation that the government acknowledges and says it is working to change the narrative.
ALL AFRICAN CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES
President Akufo-Addo made the statement yesterday, when a delegation from the All-African Conference of Churches paid a courtesy call on him at Jubilee House.
The meeting discussed issues relating to the youth of Africa, particularly the need to imbibe hope in them so that they do not leave the continent to seek greener pastures.
The delegation had met the President through the Ghana Christian Council of Churches to invite him to the youth conference to be hosted in Ghana in November, this year.
Addressing President Akufo-Addo on behalf of the delegation, the General Secretary of the All-African Conference of Churches, Rev. Dr. Fidon Mwombeki, noted that the reasons that make people leave Africa to seek greener pastures are known by all.
He mentioned that, “instead of each one thinking that other places are better and trying whatever they can to go to other places and we understand why -because of the difficulties they find themselves in and the disappointment with the political and economic systems…
“But the conception was, well, it is true that other places have better lives. We cannot deny that. Other places have better job opportunities, but we decided to go with the motto: Africa, my home, my future. Knowing that even though in other places life may be better and it may be easier to find a job, it is not our home…,” he observed.
PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO
President Akufo-Addo spoke highly of the churches and the role they play, particularly in the darkest days of the pandemic.
He reiterated that his government had always emphasised the importance of faith-based organisations in the country.
TOPIC WORTHWHILE
Commenting on the subject, President Akufo-Addo opined that it was the best possible expression of what should be a flagship concept in the mobilisation of the youth.
He stressed that as a result of the difficulties on the continent, several young people encounter tragedies in their quest to look for succour abroad, some of whom drown in the sea.
However, he was fortified that these things were not peculiar to Africa only, citing the migration of Italians, for instance, to America at the end of the 19th century because the country was not working then.
Regardless, President Akufo-Addo believes the continent will have to continue to build societies that can become an inspiration to young people to stay and contribute.
President Akufo-Addo cited the history of Ghana, including the aborigines and the inspiration of independence, to make the point that a lot had been done to see the continent at its current state, though more could be done.
“This is not too surprising. A child falls many times before he is able to walk. We were new nations and would have difficulties… but then that’s a life process. You fall and you get up. You don’t stay down, and that is what I think is our period, trying to stand on our own feet,” President Akufo-Addo asserted and explained the reason for his mantra, Ghana Beyond Aid.
