Patriotism is key to nation building - Prof. Akosa

Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, a former Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has appealed to the Youth to remain patriotic, and commit themselves to nation-building, by possessing values of discipline and good morals to help promote national unity and cohesion.

He said there was also the need to reverse the Ghanaian attitude of “No love” for the country, for the sake of the younger generation, adding, “Ghana is the only country we have, and God has a reason for not creating us as Europeans or Latinos.”

Prof. Akosa was speaking at the National Youth Patriotism Lectures in Tamale organised by the National Youth Authority (NYA) on the theme: “Promoting Social Values, Nationalism and Integrity Through Youth Leadership and Mentorship.”

The lectures, the first of two, had been put together by the NYA, in an attempt to see how best those lectures would instil patriotism in the Youth, to ensure that they grow up to love the nation, and avoid acts and practices that would derail the development of the country.

Prof. Akosa whose spoke topic was:: “The Death of Patriotism, What went Wrong and What Needs Changing,” said the entire nation lacked patriotism due to partisan politics, and stressed that what would push the nation forward as one people with a common destiny was for all politicians to accept defeat, put the politics of vindictiveness aside, and help the government in power to work and meet the aspirations of the people.

He said the prime and only interest of Ghanaians was to stand firm and defend the country wherever possible, and that because nationalism and patriotism were not properly instilled in the psyche of the people, taxi drivers were using flags of other nations other than the Ghana flag, while some people were prepared to pay any price to get to Europe, but would refuse to pay tax to develop the country.

He said even on the eve of independence, some key politicians absented themselves just because Dr Kwame Nkrumah led the crusade for independence, and indicated that such an attitude had thrived from the independence era till now, which needs to be reversed for the sake of progress.

He said because of lack of patriotism, there was no respect for the seat of government, saying, “No matter your political affiliation, you need to respect the Presidency. You don’t need to worry about the President who is in power, but be proud that you have a President who has been voted for through the ballot, but not through the gun”.

He commended the NYA for instituting the lectures, and tasked them to make the lectures every quarter, instead of twice a year, saying, "Patriotism is what Ghanaians need to ensure discipline and love for the country for a united nation,"

Mrs Angelina Mona Domakyaareh, Board Chairperson of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), who spoke on the topic: “Re-examining Gender Perspectives in Youth Leadership for Accelerated National Development: Looking Beyond the Present,” stressed the need for Ghanaians to stop the habit of gender discrimination both at work place and at home.

She said youth leadership required people who can inspire others and mobilize others towards a common purpose in response to personal and social challenges in society, to bring the needed development and to effect a positive change.

She said nation-building was like the proverbial bird, which could not fly with one but two wings, and indicated that for the country to receive the needed development, there was the need for all hands to be on deck, since Ghana belonged to all.

Other speakers included Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, Vice-Chairman of the ruling NDC and a Board Chairman of GRIDCO, and Dr Edward N. Gyader, member of the Council of State.