With the World Bank predicting Ghana to post record high
economic performance in 2011, the presidential declaration of an action should
not be taken with a pinch of salt. As we commercially harness natural resources
and invest heavily in infrastructure, we are making headway in practically
achieving middle-income country status underpinned by massive industrialization.

With all these sectors offering very lucrative avenues for
economic development, we have demonstrated our determination to the eradication
of poverty, and our ability and willingness to work with our development
partners and national stakeholders to achieve the goals of the millennium
declaration.

Fellow Ghanaians, as we appreciate the efforts of our
government, allow me to sound a very cautious note. This ACTION YEAR
consequently comes along with significant challenges we ought not to lose sight
of. Indeed the risk of our development gains being lost due to such issues is
not negligible.

As we venture into industrialization, let us all have the
issues of sustainability at heart. As we cut down trees to put up houses and
other vital infrastructure, what is our commitment to replanting them? Shall we
be indifferent of arboreal life? At the Jubilee Oil Fields, how concerned are
we about biodiversity or sustainable fishing practices of our fisher folk?

Am I being to
scientific?, let’s see sociology; don’t we foresee a reinvigorated era of
migration into the country, across the country, and even labor migration in
between various sectors of the economy. How proactive are we about these effects
on our way of life. As for issues of child labour, child prostitution, HIV/AIDS,
crime and the likes of social vices I need not mention.

The challenges of the industrialization are wide, diverse and
global and the whole world would want to see how we face them. To the youth of
Ghana, let us empower ourselves with knowledge and skill to lobby our leaders
to put in place the right policies, processes and adequate resources to ensure
that most attention is paid to us who have a lifetime to live beyond the action
year. Let us share knowledge among ourselves, with support from our faculty and
civil society, let us identify alternatives we can recommend to government or
better still, let us engage our positive energies to volunteer and inspire all
and sundry to walk the talk of environmental and social sustainability. Let us
increase our vigilance on child labour, corruption and environmental health.

Real and lasting change starts organically. It happens when
we collectively seek to address an issue. With reviews of historical patterns,
industry trends and international best practices, let us build awareness, create
the vigilance of all and let us move through this action year with tomorrow in
mind.

Let us constructively engage our leaders in the level of OUR
ambition with regard to national and sector planning, monitoring and evaluation
systems and accountability to demonstrate to the whole world that despite our
industrialization, we remain committed to the issues of climate change,
regional corporation, accountability, women, children and all other MDGs while
we safeguard an increasing standard of living for future generations of
Ghanaians and the world at large.

Join our FACEBOOK book page GHANA YOUTH DIALOGUE and meet
several other Ghanaian youth who have tomorrow in mind. Each ordinary one of
has the ability to do extraordinary things, and this does not come from the
kind of politics that puts us against ourselves and plays on our worst fears,
but with united accord and a voluntary spirit, we can give ourselves a better
future. Arise Ghana Youth, We are all involved.




The author of this article is EMMANUEL KWARM SAMPSON, UNIVERSITY OF GHANA,LEGON,
BSc PSYCHOLOGY. LEVEL 300