"Africa is psychologically insecure"-Fifi Kwetey, Ghanaian Minister of Food and Agriculture

The Ghanaian Minister of Food and Agriculture, Fifi Kwetey has admonished the youth in Africa to be very hard working. He said youth citizens in Africa ought to be very creative in whatever they do.

The Minister stressed on this when speaking at the 6th edition of the Young Professionals Transformational Leadership Conference which was organised by the Young Professionals and Youth Coalition (YPYC) on the theme "Transformational Change Africa Needs" at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).

According to him, the Africa continent needs people with foresight and creative minds to develop the continent." Without creative minds and determination there's no way the Africa continent could be transform", he said. The Minister said that "Africa is psychologically insecure hence we (Africans) do not appreciate what we have as a Continent."

Source: Africaworld news

The Woes Of The African Youth

The Africa youth are struggling to survive in spite of all the natural endowment bestowed on the continent. The African continent is undoubtedly blessed with uncountable resources. But in the midst of all these natural resources, the youth live with empty optimism.

It’s often said that the youth are the future leaders of every country but to the African continent it seems there would be no real future leaders tomorrow. Why? This is because the current leaders in Africa have virtually marginalised the teeming youth.

Who are we to blame for these woes? We cannot blame anyone than our very own leaders. Leaderswho only think about their immediate families. It’s very pity!Most leaders in Africa only think about how they can amass wealth for their unborn generations. The Africa youth have nothing to boast of except the corrupt leadership of their leaders. Many of these youth are dying with their intelligence, knowledge and abilities. Why? This is because the economy has been made so hard for them that they cannot even venture into any business of their own.

Greed and selfishnesson the part of most African leaders has by and large compelled majority of these youth to seek greener pastures elsewhere. Obviously enough, most of the youth citizens of Africa have the will-power but as a result of the no job opportunities in the continent they are force to seek economic salvation outside the continent. Many lost their precious lives through illegal means-stowaway. The leaders cannot pretend that they don’t know what these youth are going through. The ruling patterns of successive governmentalso makes the youth to believe there is no hope for them. Why are the African youth seeking ways to free themselves from this economic prison?

However, most of these youth will wake from their beds thinking deeply about this state of affairs confronting them and the continent as a whole. Those who cannot continue to think about the entire situation quickly employ themselves-armed robbery, prostitution, drug trafficking etc. it’s very pathetic to see able-bodied youth engaging in these social vices. I still find it difficult to understand why African leaders are not moved by the current plights of the youth citizens. Do African leaders have the same mindset?

The kind of leadership African leaders practice has also given way to a severe social class.In the light of this, people with the same economic, social and educational background move together. This has really intensified the woes of many youth. There are even great social classes in the churches, thus the manifestation of Karl Marx’s theory (Marxian Class Theory). The most influential people in the church are segregated from the commoners. And these influential people are always given the utmost attention. No wonder church services have now become a booming business in Africa. As a result of the hard economic problem, many youth have now become “stomach” pastors and ministers. To them this is where and how they can also survive

Call for Nominations: Africa Youth Awards, 2014

Nominations Opens for Africa Youth Awards 2014 Nominations for the maiden edition of the coveted and prestige online Awards for young Africans has been opened. Slated for December 2014, the awards were inspired by the African Achievers Awards when its founder had the opportunity to work with the team during the Awards ceremony in Accra, Ghana. 

Africa is currently seeing an era where young people despite the challenges that they go through
have decided to make a stand for themselves. They are turning problems into solutions, creating jobs with amazing initiatives geared towards a better future of Africa and the world at Large. These people define success in the perspective that demystifies age as a barrier to achieving the extraordinary in life.

CRITERIA: Qualifications for the awards entails a young African, 35 years and below, a significant achievement holder, a change maker and one that demonstrate ethical and socially accepted principles. There is no educational qualification barrier, meaning anyone 35 and below before and on Monday, November 6, 2014 is eligible to apply for the Africa Youth Awards.

NOMINATIONS: As an online event, the Africa Youth Awards will be discrete from other awards. From nominations to the award ceremony, all information and process will be made available through official online written and video press releases. With nominations officially opened, Nominations will be submitted through a form on this link  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10b76N0kmEkopcmn7vCBX3uLprm6naqbSrAujIvFCkUw/viewform?c=0&w=1 . Nominations will be opened until Friday 14th November, 2014 where an Academy made up of partners, founder, etc. of the awards will be given the opportunity to vote for the best ten with critical examinations. The final ten in each category will then be presented to a jury made up of great achievers across the continent to also vote for the final 5. The final five nominees in each category will then be introduced to the public for a 100% online voting. Categories and their details can also be found on www.iamfelixg.blogspot.com 

AWARDS: To be held in late December, the Awards ceremony will be held in Accra, Ghana. Videos of the announcement of the winners will be uploaded online for public viewing and scrutiny. Award winners and organizations will get the opportunity to be inducted into the Africa Youth Awards Hall of Fame, Citation; will have an online promotion of cause, Feature in Rebuilding of Africa documentary and so much more to follow.

For enquiries, sponsorship and partnership emails can be sent to africayouthawards@gmail.com

                                   © Prince, Emmanuel and Felix G

Africa Youth Awards: Categories Definition

1.   Young Male Personality-Is the male personality adjudged by the Academy, Jury and General public to have the highest influence on the continent the person must be 35 years or below. The Personality must be a game changer by all standards working to promote Africa on the Global Front.

2.    Young Female Personality-Is the female personality adjudged by the Academy, Jury and General public to have the highest influence on the continent 35 years or below. The Personality must be a game changer by all standards working to promote Africa on the Global Front.

3.    Special Award- Is an award for a young person with disabilities focused adjudged by the Academy, Jury and General public to have the highest influence on the continent he/she must be 35 years or below. The Personality must be a game changer by all standards working to promote Africa on the Global Front.

4.   Tertiary Institution of the Year-Is an African country accredited  Tertiary institution adjudged by the adjudged by the Academy, Jury and General Public to have introduced innovative programs to help develop students and have churned out resourceful graduates under the year in review

5.   Students’ Association of the Year-Is a national student association with a lawfully elected and serving executives working to champion the cause of students in a particular country adjudged by the Academy, Jury and General Public. They must also be able to decentralise their association to the various regions/states/provinces in the country of operation.

6.   National Youth Authority of the Year-Is any youth focused government agency which has being developed and introduced innovative youth development policies under the year in review adjudged by the Academy, Jury and General public.

7.   Ministry of Youth of the Year- Is any national Ministry of Youth adjudged by the Academy, Jury and General public and have being able to implement policies contributing to the development of young resources in a country. Their policies should be able to reduce unemployment, empower young entrepreneurs and is advocating for the use of their products.

8.   NGO of the Year-Is an NGO adjudged by the Academy, Jury and General public and have being able to implement policies contributing to the development of young resources in a country. Their policies should be able to reduce unemployment, empower young entrepreneurs and is advocating for the use of their products

9.   Young Entrepreneur of the Year-Is a young person, 35 years or below, serving in a public office adjudged after nominations by the Academy, Jury and General Public that has been able to implement policies on behalf of government or has started a personal initiative whiles holding a public office.

10.   Public Servant of the Year-Is a young person, 35 years or below, serving in a public office adjudged after nominations by the Academy, Jury and General Public that has been able to implement policies on behalf of government or has started a personal initiative whiles holding a public office.

11.   Excellence in Leadership Award- Is an award for a young person, 35 years or below, serving in either a government or NGO  adjudged after nominations by the Academy, Jury and General public as a distinguished young person with exceptional leadership qualities that is powering his/her organisation to greater heights.

12.   Excellence in Governance Award-Is an award for a young person 35 or below serving in government adjudged after nominations by the Academy, Jury and General Public as a distinguished young person helping churn out amazing policies on behalf of government helping change lives.

13.  TV Show of the Year- This goes for an African Television program with focus on youth development adjudged by the Academy, Jury and the General Public and has being able to inspire other young Africans.

14.  Media Excellence Award- Is an award for a young person 35 or below serving in having an establishment in the media industry adjudged after nominations by the Academy, Jury and General Public as a distinguished young person contributing to the rebranding of the African media landscape.

15.   Excellence Award in Innovation and Invention- Is an award for a young person 35 or below who has been able to either invent or innovate a product that is appreciable and needs the push to be recognised on the continent adjudged after nominations by the Academy, Jury and General Public.

16.   Posthumous Award-Is an award for a young person 35 years or below who passed away in the year of review adjudged after nominations by the Academy, Jury and General Public.

17.  Excellence in Literary Arts-Is an award for a young person 35 or below who is working in the literary industry and has been able to publish literary work or have designed programs to support the literary industry adjudged after nominations by the Academy, Jury and General Public.

18.  Film Maker of the Year--Is an award for a young person 35 or below who has distinguished him/herself in the African Film industry with stories and products adjudged after nominations by the Academy, Jury and General Public.

19.  Fashion Icon of the Year-Is an award for a young person 35 or below who has distinguished him/herself in the fashion industry under the year in review with amazing passed away in the year of review adjudged after nominations by the Academy, Jury and General Public

20.   Sports Personality of the Year-Is an award for a young person 35 or below who has distinguished him/herself in any discipline of sports accepted and recognised by the world sports governing bodies under the year in review adjudged after nominations by the Academy, Jury and the General Public.

21.  Sports team of the Year-Is an award for a team of sports players who have distinguished themselves in any discipline of sports accepted and recognised by the world sports governing bodies under the year in review adjudged after nominations by the Academy, Jury and the General Public.

22.  Conference/Summit/Forum of the Year-Is an award for a Youth focused event (Conference/Summit/Forum) held in the year under review that has created a lot of impact across the continent after nominations by the Academy, Jury and the General Public.

23.  Award for ICT-Is an award a young person who has distinguished him/herself in the field of IT and stands the chance to battle global IT brands from Africa after nominations by the Academy, Jury and the general public.

24.  Grass root Transformation in Africa-Is an award for a young person who is working in rural areas bringing about significant changes after nominations by the Academy, Jury and the General Public.

25.  Advocacy-Is an award a young person who has distinguished him/herself in the field of Advocacy, and has broken barriers to make the voice of the ordinary African heard in his/her country after nominations by the Academy, Jury and the General Public.

For enquiries, sponsorship and partnership emails can be sent to africayouthawards@gmail.com.

LEADERSHIP: WHY AFRICAN LEADERS LOSE FOCUS

                                                                                                                                                                                          

Some Leaders of Africa

Africa is really endowed with numerous natural resources but yet this ‘rich’ continent is mendicant to the western countries. The challenges presenting themselves to the African Continent are uncountable. These challenges could particularly be ascribe to the mode of leadership practice by most African leaders.

In Africa, leaders or governments are expected by their followers or subjects to provide adequate security and safety, open political participation, sustainable economic prospects and large measure of human development. But what do these subjects and followers get in return? These prospects turn to be the otherwise. Are leaders of Africa really conscious of leadership?

In these ongoing disclosures the media and the general public of the various Africa countries incessantly characterize these leaders as bad and self-centered leaders while some even question their competence and credentials. Do leaders who lose their focus incompetent leaders? Leaders who lose their focus are not necessarily incompetent leaders. But they somewhat lose their way and social bearings, often yielding to mischief in their tracks. I believe only few people go into leadership roles to cheat or perpetrate evil, nevertheless we all have the capacity for actions and inactions we deeply regret unless we stay anchored.

SELF-CONTEMPLATION: A TRACK TO LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Leadership is not meant for faint-hearted and indecisive people but rather action driven and decisive people. So, before any African takes on a leadership role they should ask themselves, “Why do I want to lead?” and “What’s the intention of my leadership?” These are very easy questions to ask oneself, but finding the real answers to these questions may take period of years. If the honest answers are power, prestige and financial gains, leaders are at risk of relying on external satisfaction for fulfillment. On the contrary, there is nothing wrong with desiring these ostentatious properties as long as they combined with a deeper desire to serve something greater than oneself.

 Leaders whose aim is the quest for authority over others unlimited wealth or the fame that comes with success have a propensity to look to others to gain gratification, and often appear self-centered and egotistical. They start to believe their own press (praise singing media). Besides, most African leaders of institutions, they eventually see in their mind's eye that the institutions cannot thrive without them. That’s one grave weakness of our African leaders!

THE GLOOMY SIDE OF LEADERSHIP

Many African leaders get to the top by imposing their will on others, even destroying people standing in their way. When they get to the top they possibly will be suspicious that others are trying to knock them off their footstall. Sometimes they develop an imposter complex demeanour, caused by deep insecurities that they aren’t good enough and they may be unmasked. To prove they aren’t imposters, they drive so hard for perfection that they are incapable of realizing their failures. When confronted by their subjects and followers; they convince themselves and others that the problems are neither their fault nor their responsibility. Ridiculously, they look for ‘whipping boys’ to blame for their problems. Using their authority, personal appeal and communication skills they compel people to accept these distortions causing the entire organisation to lose touch with reality.

At this phase of the leadership, leaders are very vulnerable to committing big mistakes, such as breaching the law or putting their organizations’ existence at risk. Their distortions convince them they are doing nothing wrong, or they rationalize that their deviation are acceptable to accomplish a greater good.

VALUES-CENTERED LEADERSHIP

Leading is a very difficult task. There is no way any leader can avoid the unremitting challenges of being responsible for people, organisations, consequences and uncertainties in the environment of leadership. Leaders who move up have greater freedom to control their destinies but they also experience increased pressure from the outside. Leaders can avoid their pitfalls by devoting themselves to personal development that will help shape their potentials and ability. This requires reframing their leadership from not falling as head to tail just like the people they lead. This process requires deep thought and introspection because many people get into leadership roles in response to their ego needs. It enables them to transition from seeking external satisfaction by making meaningful contributions through their leadership.

The renowned Leadership expert, speaker, coach, and author Dr John C Maxwell said in his book the ‘21 irrefutable laws of leadership’ that; “Leaders require seasoning to be effective. If you continually invest in your leadership development, the inevitable is growth over time, the relationship between growth and leadership: It’s the capacity to develop and improve one’s skills that distinguishes leaders from their followers.”

                                                                          The writer is a freelance journalist

                                                        Tel: +233247265478

                                                 Email: adjeteyemmanuel@gmail.com                                                                                                                                                                                                     

THE TEENAGERS: HOW CAN YOU HELP?

                     

                                       By: Adjetey Emmanuel

There is a psychological law of reciprocity that says, “If you make me feel good

about myself, I will find a way to make you feel good about yourself.” In other words, people will always look for ways to reciprocate your kindnesses towards them.

This is what Teen Age Build (TAB)-Ghana, Non-Profit Organisation stands for. TAB’s mission is to shape and direct the focus, goal and ability of teenagers through consistent and continual reliable activities that will help them abreast the possibility of living a truly fulfilled life.

The greatest priority of TAB is to assist our teenagers realize their dreams, potentials, aspirations and ambitions.

There’s no way one could climb the ladder of success with his/her hands in the pocket. Your guess is as good as mine! Hence, TAB exists to performing that vital role by making sure that our teenagers’ climb the ladder of success without putting their hands in their pocket. TAB believes our teenagers can only reach the apex of the ladder of success if they are well and carefully monitored when they are doing the climbing thus when pursuing success.

Besides, most of our teenagers have been brainwashed by some societal mishaps to belittle themselves. But, TAB, views this in a different angle. The Teen Age Build organisation which believes in the dreams of our teenagers’ is of the view that, with faith in our teenagers brings with it, the reward of success. As NGO which also exists to strengthen and motivate the teenagers psychologically and physically keeps on trumpeting this to our teenagers “do not belittle yourself in any way for within you lie untapped potentials, untapped duties and unusual energy.” TAB strongly believes that the key for our teenagers to unlock these virtues lie in believing in themselves.

It is also an unequivocal fact that there is nobody in Ghana today who has lost sight over the trend of our teenagers and issues affecting them. For many, the least said about it the better.

Our BECE and WASSCE results leave much to be desired.  Figures from WAEC show that the pass rate of students who sat for the BECE has been on a constant downward decline since 2009. The 2011 results of the BECE students have been the worst in 13 years since 1998 as the base year with 46.93% of students achieving a pass rate and thus being eligible for placement into SHS. So one may ask; ‘where are the unqualified-and-not-placed students?’ Indeed their future is doomed to a bleak future of uncertainty with dangerous national security ramification for the Country in the near future.

The situation isn’t different at the second cycle institutions. Many complete and are only left into the mercy of countless NOV/DEC. re-sits. At times, the concomitance of this is the skyrocketed social vices in our country.

Teenage pregnancy has deprived many teenage girls and their wards of quality education and many turn to be dependents on their family and the nation at large. It is not surprising that as of 2011, the age dependency ratio (% of the working-age population) was 73.23%. According to the World Bank index, the value for this indicator has fluctuated between 95.38 in 1976 and 73.23 in 2011. Indeed teenagers’ inability to continue with their education added up to the mess we have found ourselves in as a nation.

Societal values have been swept under the carpet by the teens with great impunity. We see this reflecting in their dressings, talks and other ways. Immorality is eating deep into the social fabrics of the teenagers increasing the rate of STDs with no thought of any prolong impact on them. Homosexuality is at a faster rate extending its tentacles to teenagers with the Senior High schools being the hub. September 21, 2013 headline story; on myjoyonline.com “12 years old prostitute arrested in Kumasi, charges GHC 5.00 per round”, this and many such diabolic acts of our teenagers must awake our consciousness to the issue of child prostitution among teenagers. Homosexuality and lesbianism now seems to be part of the extra curriculum activities of our schools. Are these schools now nurturing gays and lesbians in schools?  What a shame!

As a nation we cannot continue to be good at identifying our problems without providing any solutions to these problems. Many of these things are happening to our teenagers because of misplaced priorities. Many do not know what they want from life. Most have no master plan for their lives and therefore anywhere the road/path leads to they are ready to go through it. Most have not got any destination in mind and as such every place becomes one. And this is the situation majorities of our teenagers found themselves in. Life without any goal/aim is like a bird with broken wings that can’t fly.

I was cut to the heart when a pupil of JHS 3 said; “Sir, I don’t know” as an answer to what she will like to be in the future. This was a teenage girl who came to the sister to choose a course for her to complete her candidate registration form. It is so obvious that for this girl, all that matters to her is to get to the secondary school and not what she is going to do there. And when such a person gets to the SHS you can imagine what she will do. This is lack of vision and clear goal in life.

It is high time we guided our teenagers to set achievable goals and inspire them to such dream realization. With this and godly value inculcated in them, I strongly believe a headway can be made. These are things TAB is out there to achieve in our teenagers.

Our mission is to shape and direct the focus, goal and ability of teenagers through consistent and continual reliable activities that will help them abreast the possibility of living a true fulfilled life.

But, TAB cannot fully help shape and also direct the focus, goal and potentials of our teenagers through its consistent and continual reliable activities without the public support. Hence, TAB deems it fit to request support from the general public.

www.teenagebuild.webs.com

Facebook: Teen Age Build (TAB)-Ghana

The writer is a freelance journalist based in Hohoe

Email:adjeteyemmanuel@gmail.com

Tel: +233247265478