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Opinions of Wednesday, 1 June 2016

Columnist: Mercy Asamani

We Won't Pay, "Yentua"- Mercedes Writes

Opinion Opinion

I sit with Joy as I watch most students poised for positivity. The silence is long overdue. Our sealed lips have been closed enough. The time is now to act not just speak, to start not wait. If things will change, then it's up to us to rise up and speak.

This has got nothing to do with politics but it's our obligation as Ghanaians and most especially as youth to fight for a good course. The time is now to show our leaders that the youth elect and rule. Let's take a cue from Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's quote,

"Countrymen, the task ahead is great indeed, and heavy is the responsibility, and yet it is a noble and glorious challenge. A challenge which calls for the courage to dream, the courage to believe, the courage to dare, the courage to do, the courage to envision, the courage to fight, the courage to work, the courage to achieve- to achieve the highest excellence and the fullest greatness of man. Dare we ask for more in life?" -Dr. Kwame Nkrumah

The time is now to rise and act. Our parents and us pay taxes to the government and we must benefit from that. Ask yourself, does the ordinary Ghanaian even benefit from the resources in the country? Most subsidies have been stripped off and instead the "big men" rather enjoy the sweats of the ordinary men while they push on us daily heavy taxes. "YENTUA" this must resound everyday in their ears. We won't pay. Ask yourself, how many of these leaders have their children schooling in the country? They feel not our pain or struggling to even pay our huge school fees and hostel fees coupled with money for study materials and our upkeep yet most complete and join the queue of unemployed graduates.

We will not only speak but act. They must issue a statement to do away with the payment of utility bills now because we won't pay. Most students have deferred their programs because they can't pay their fees. We won't pay, not today, not ever.

It's high time the youth arose. Don't be deceived by the cliche the leaders always sing that, "the youth are the future leaders" because we are not. Except we know not that the present determines the future. We are the present shapers of our future. If our future will be bright and glorious, it begins today.

Join us to resound the trumpet, "WE WON'T PAY", "YENTUA".

We beat not war drums but we speak peace. Let our leaders hear. Arise Ghana Youth For Your Country. The Future Is Now!!!!

©Asamani Mercy
B.ed Arts, English and History
University of Cape-Coast
mercyasamani@yahoo.com
0263640914