The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Ketu North, Eric Edem Agbana has decried the widespread disappointments with the country’s political system and called for urgent actions from the Ghanaian youth to address it.
The opposition party’s former Deputy National Youth Organizer while bemoaning the perceived erosion of trust in various state institutions and what he described as a“palpable despair” stemming from unfulfilled promises by the current government called for collective action and civic engagement among the youth of the country to demand accountability from political leaders.
Mr Agbana particularly underscored the disappointment many Ghanaians, especially the teeming youth feel with President Akufo Addo’s government, citing what he described as unmet expectations and a perceived lack of accountability.
“Dear Young People, It is trite knowledge that our democracy has failed to deliver our expectations. I understand the growing mistrust for our institutions and the loss of confidence in our political systems.
“But hey, the solution is not in ‘sitting on the fence’. You can’t sit on the fence and expect a few people to fight for the change you seek. We must all get involved”.
Eric Edem Agbana, NDC’s Parliamentary Candidate, Ketu North
Furthermore, the National Democratic Congress Parliamentary Candidate for Ketu North in the Volta Region expressed concern over what he considers the diminishing confidence in the judiciary, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms.
However, Mr Agbana cautioned against apathy and indifference, urging young people to actively participate in shaping the future of the country.
Quoting a portion of the country’s National Youth anthem, which reads “We are all involved in building our motherland”, the National Democratic Congress Parliamentary Candidate emphasized the imperative of collective responsibility in nation-building.
The former youth leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress also referenced a statement made by Bill Maher, which reads “Freedom isn’t free” to condemn political apathy.
Mr Agbana vehemently opined that political apathy among citizens especially young people is a dereliction of duty in a republic, emphasizing the importance of informed civic engagement in nation building.
He thus urged all citizens, specifically the youth in the country to reject complacency and demand accountability from political leaders.
Despite his political affiliations, the former student leader stressed the non-partisan nature of holding the incumbent government accountable in the discharge of its mandate and further called for unity in the pursuit of a better future for all Ghanaians.
Patriotism over Blind Party Loyalty
Moreover, Eric Edem Agbana while expressing solidarity with the biblical injunction to pray for the success of leaders, emphasized that patriotism transcends blind loyalty to the government.
He stated with deep passion the urgent need for all citizens, especially young people to criticise the incumbent government’s shortcomings with strong activism and vocal opposition to systemic abuses.
Acknowledging the efforts by some prominent figures in the country such as ace investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, lead Convenor for Fix the Country Movement, Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor, and political science lecturer, Professor Ransford Yaw Gyampo, Mr Agbana underscored the importance of diverse voices in holding political leaders accountable.
He urged citizens to speak out against corruption, ineptitude, and abuse of power, emphasizing that silence only serves to perpetuate the status quo.
The National Democratic Congress former Deputy Nationa Youth Organizer concluded his remarks by calling upon the youth to reject silence and passivity, asserting that their engagement is crucial in driving positive change.
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