Negative media reportage on Zongos affecting us – Change for Zongo Youth

President of Change for Zongo Youth, Zakiyu Iddris Tindannayil has bemoaned the negative reportage on Zongo communities in the media.

He argued that stereotyping Zongo communities negatively affects the youth since they get the impression that they are born and bred in violence.

He made this known in an exclusive interview with Ghanaweb TV during the launch of the 3rd edition of the Zongo Youth Month at the Nima-Mamobi community library.

“It is a fact that often when Zongo is being reported in the media, it is often negative and we believe it is having a negative effect on the younger ones coming up because it makes them believe that Zongo has nothing good. If it is always bad, it means they are meant to be bad. They cannot actually achieve anything,” Zakiyu said.

He explained that the idea of dedicating a month to celebrate the youth in Zongo communities is to dispel the perception that Zongo people are a social menace while painting a positive image of notable Zongo youth in the minds of Ghanaians.

“So we thought that why not come together, choose a month and celebrate the change makers within the community; those that are doing great things, so that they can be seen as heroes and mentors by these young ones coming up. So that they don’t sit back and say I cannot achieve it when in actual fact they can,” he added.

The president of Change for Zongo Youth admitted that the movement faces numerous challenges, especially funding, and disclosed intentions to approach the Minister for Zongo Development in due time.

The Zongo Youth Month, celebrated in April, is a month-long event to celebrate the remarkable feats of changemakers in the Zongo community.