Mentor youth with critical thinking skills - President Akufo-Addo to Oxford, Cambridge universities alumni
Ghanaian alumni of the Oxford and Cambridge universities have been challenged to mentor the country’s youth by imbibing in them critical thinking skills, and the ability to challenge assumptions and inspire innovative solutions to complex problems.
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This will help build a country capable of becoming a leader in the global economy.
Addressing a gathering of former students of the two universities at their 10th-anniversary networking and fundraising dinner in Accra last Wednesday, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo explained that the task of building a prosperous and inclusive Ghana must not be left to the government alone but required the collective efforts of all, including alumni networks such as Oxford and Cambridge Society of Ghana (OXCAM) through intentional mentorship of the younger generation.
Stressing the importance of building confidence in the younger generation and assuring them that they could achieve their goals, the President said mentorship went beyond just offering advice; it involved igniting a passion in young people to dream big, take risks and strive for excellence.
“As graduates of Oxford and Cambridge, you have been exposed to the best educational practices in the world to think critically, challenge assumptions and seek innovative solutions to complex problems”.
“These are precisely the skills that we need to cultivate in our young people if we are to build a Ghana that is not only a participant in the global economy but also a leader,” President Akufo-Addo, who is an alumnus of New College of the University of Oxford, said.
His remark on the topic, “Ghana's Development Agenda: The Role of Education and Alumni Networks".
Event
It was a night of reflection on the achievements of the group over the decade and sharing their aspirations for the future. Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, also an alumnus of the University of Oxford, chaired the ceremony.
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President Akufo-Addo bought one of Amarkine Amarteifio’s contemporary artworks, “Market Day Hopes” for GH¢100,000 as part of the fundraising ceremony.
Also, distinguished members of the society, including the President, were honoured with citations for their contribution to society.
Education
Justifying the importance of education in unlocking the potential of every Ghanaian, President Akufo-Addo said since assuming office, his government had prioritised education by implementing policies to ensure that every child had access to quality education.
He cited the Free Senior High School policy as a testament to his government’s commitment to access to quality education.
Since the implementation of the free SHS policy, he said 5.7 million students have benefited from the initiative to pursue their dreams and contribute to the future of the country.
Humanity
Former President Kufuor urged the members to bring the experiences encountered at the two schools to bear on the transformation of humanity.
“The times are getting troubled and it’s all because people are losing that sense of humanity; it must be at the centre of everything and I know the two institutions are champions of humanity,” he said.
“We must let humanity hallmark our efforts not just in politics but in all other parts of our lives to influence how we build our nation,” the former President added.
Work
The Chairperson of OXCAM, Dr Emefa Takyi-Amoako, commended the founder members for helping to develop society, saying, “As we celebrate this 10th adversary, we are reminded that our work is far from complete”.
“The Oxford and Cambridge Society of Ghana is committed to continuing its mission of fostering excellence, promoting educational opportunities and contributing to the development of our nation,” she added.
Dr Takyi-Amoako, therefore, urged members to continue their active involvement in society through contributions, expertise or resources to ensure that the society remained a vibrant and influential organisation that continued to inspire and uplift people.