TEIN-UCC must not become a tool for personal agendas - Kofi Matthew

Former Acting Central Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (National Democratic Congress), Kofi Matthew, has cautioned members of the Tertiary Education Institutions Network of the University of Cape Coast (TEIN-UCC) against allowing their talents, influence and political energy to be exploited by others to pursue personal agendas and settle battles that do not advance their own destinies.

Addressing students during the 30th Anniversary Celebration of TEIN-UCC, the seasoned administrator delivered a message titled “Your Glory, Their Weapon Stay Vigilant,” urging young political activists to be discerning about how, where, and for whom they deploy their gifts and influence.

Drawing lessons from the biblical account in Matthew 14 in the New Testament (Book of Matthew), he recounted how the daughter of Herodias, during King Herod’s birthday celebration, danced so exceptionally that Herod offered to grant her any request.

However, instead of using that moment to advance her own future, she was influenced by her mother to request the execution of John the Baptist.

According to Kofi Matthew, the young woman’s talent, beauty and moment of glory what should have been an opportunity to shape her own destiny became a tool in someone else’s conflict.

“Her gift became a weapon. Her moment of glory was redirected to serve another person’s agenda,” he told the gathering.

“That is the danger many young people face today, especially those with great potential.”

He warned TEIN members that their intelligence, popularity, organizational strength, communication skills, and youthful energy are powerful assets that can easily be used by individuals pursuing personal interests.

“Your brilliance, your influence, your voice, your numbers these are blessings. But if you are not careful, others will use them to fight wars that have nothing to do with you,” he cautioned.

To illustrate his point, Kofi Matthew cited familiar student scenarios. He noted that a talented student speaker may be encouraged to publicly attack another party member not to advance the Party’s cause but to settle a personal grievance.

He also pointed to cases where student leaders are mobilised against others without fully understanding the underlying issues.

In the process, he said, relationships are damaged, reputations are tarnished, and students end up bearing consequences for battles that were never theirs to fight.

He further explained that some students are recruited into campus factions or broader party rivalries under the guise of loyalty or activism, only to later realise they were used as instruments in power struggles driven by personal ambition rather than collective interest.

In some cases, he noted, students are even persuaded to support less competent candidates simply because of personal relationships or influence networks.

Another example he raised was the misuse of social media influence, where students are encouraged to spread unverified allegations or attack fellow comrades sometimes even senior members based on requests from trusted associates.

Such actions, he warned, may serve temporary interests but often damage the student’s credibility and future prospects.

Kofi Matthew urged students to critically assess the causes they support, the conflicts they engage in and the alliances they form, stressing that not every invitation to participate deserves their energy.

“Do not surrender your destiny to people whose primary interest is themselves. Ask questions. Understand motives.

"Ensure your efforts contribute to your growth, the Party’s development and the progress of our country,” he advised.

He emphasised that TEIN members must develop the maturity to distinguish between genuine opportunities for service and situations where they are being used as instruments in others’ battles.

“The tragedy in Herodias’ daughter’s story was not the dance itself. The tragedy was how her moment was used to settle a score that had nothing to do with her,” he explained, referring again to the biblical account. “Never allow your future to be sacrificed on the altar of another person’s bitterness, ambition, or revenge.”

Kofi Matthew encouraged students to channel their talents toward initiatives that promote truth, service, intellectual growth, party unity, and national development.

He challenged TEIN-UCC, as it marks thirty years of activism and leadership development, to produce leaders who are bold enough to contribute but wise enough to avoid manipulation.

“The next generation of leaders must understand that not every battle deserves their participation. Your gifts should build, not destroy. Your influence should inspire, not divide,” he stated.

Kofi Matthew, whose political journey within the NDC has included roles from TEIN Secretary at Komenda College of Education to Acting Central Regional Secretary, noted that leadership requires wisdom, discernment, and the courage to protect one’s purpose from manipulation.

As TEIN-UCC marks its 30th anniversary, his message was a clear reminder: guard your potential, choose your battles wisely, and never allow your destiny to be used in service of others’ personal conflicts.