Be disciplined, loyal for national development - Dr Apaak advises youth
The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, has advised the youth, particularly members of the National Cadet Corps, to be disciplined and loyal since those qualities were essential values for national development.
He lamented drug abuse and violence in schools, including disrespect towards teachers, disregard for school rules, and in some cases, carrying of weapons.
“These behaviours disrupt the learning environment and threaten national progress. In the growth of our country, discipline and loyalty are of paramount importance,” Dr Apaak added.
He further cited a 2025 report by Child Online Africa, which found that many youth were becoming self-centred and disengaged from societal values due to unregulated access to digital content, poor parental supervision and societal neglect.
The minister gave the advice at a Cadet Youth Parade event in Accra last Saturday, on the theme: “Discipline and loyalty among the youth: Reflect, review, and reset.”
Solutions
The minister said strengthening family education, enhancing school discipline through curriculum reforms, and effective implementation of policies were some of the measures to address the challenges.
He said his outfit was reviewing the national curriculum to incorporate education on discipline and loyalty.
Dr Apaak also highlighted plans by the National Service Authority to introduce a military training module for personnel to help instil leadership and civic responsibility in them.
There is also a proposal to expand technical and vocational education training opportunities for the youth.
Values
A former Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and chairman of the occasion, Dr Charles Aheto-Tsegah, called for a renewed national effort to instil values and moral principles in young people.
He emphasised the role of schools and communities in guiding youth behaviour while urging stakeholders, including traditional leaders, to engage more actively in youth mentorship.
Dr Aheto-Tsegah said the GES, in collaboration with the National Teaching Council (NTC), had introduced an online teacher training programme focused on promoting discipline and loyalty in schools, adding that the GES would enforce strict school rules and also create systems that encouraged self-discipline among students.
Dr Aheto-Tsegah described the National Cadet Corps as a proven force in fostering discipline and patriotism among the youth.
He entreated the government and stakeholders to continue offering their support for cadets to enhance their impact across the country.
