Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has urged Ghanaian youth, especially those in the Zongo communities, to shun anti-social activities and political vigilantism.
They should rather concentrate on securing jobs, education, and business development, therefore, they should form ‘Job-lantes, Edu-lantes and Busi-lantes’ instead of vigilante groups, to promote their wellbeing and development of the nation.
Speaking at the 51st Anniversary observation of the birth of Prophet Muhammad by Sheikh Abdul Wadud, in Kumasi, Vice President Bawumia expressed great worry that some of the youth from the Zongo communities engaged in political vigilantism and other anti-social behaviour.
“Allah has blessed the Zongo youth with multiple positive attributes and talents such as strength, courage, knowledge, sports skill, entrepreneurship, vocational skills, and many others, and I want to urge the youth…, particularly my dear brothers in the Zongo Communities, to put your God-given talents to good use for your own benefits and for the benefit of your respective families, communities as well as the nation.”
They should not, under any circumstance, avail themselves to be used for any illegal activity, which also posed great risks to their valuable and cherished lives but be “positive ambassadors of our great religion by eschewing violence and intolerance”.
“For the Zongo and Muslim youth, it is even more important, and an obligation to be tolerant and peaceful in accordance with the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad,” Dr Bawumia stated.
He asked those involved in the operations of the various political parties to exhibit great sense of tolerance, whether in intra-party, or inter-party contests.
It was instructive, he said, that the politicians who encouraged political vigilantism and recruited such persons did not involve their children in such activities.
“They come to you and tell you to go and perpetuate violence and other acts, while their own children are in school, doing good jobs or abroad working to better their lives.
“When these politicians come to you, ask them why they are not using their own children to do what they’re asking you to do.”
Vice President Bawumia sounded a note of caution to persons engaged in such activities, emphasising that, President Akufo-Addo had publicly declared his resolve to crack down on political vigilantism, and to deal ruthlessly with anyone engaged in such activities.
He gave the assurance that the Government would continue to invest in policies and programmes designed to provide jobs and improve the human capital, which included the Free Senior High School programme, Planting for Food and Jobs, One Village One Dam, and the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO).
It also had plans to undertake massive road infrastructural projects and other construction sectors this year, which would create employment opportunities for many of the skilled and unskilled youth across the country.
Source: GNA
