Youth advised to stay away from negative behaviours

Some opinion leaders at Old Fadama in Accra, have advised the youth in the area to stay away from negative behaviours that could ruin their future.

They were further admonished to direct their energies into productive ventures rather than indulging in acts that tarnished their image and that of the community.

The Assembly Member for the Amamomo Electoral Area, Mr Musah Ziyad, who gave the advice at the launch of Dynamic Fun Club, a youth group in the area, also urged people in the community not to shield criminal elements who disturbed the peace. 

“Many prominent people from this community had modest beginnings but were able to make it later in life through hard work and determination. It is important to carve a positive image that will reflect positively on residents here so that the perception the public has about Old Fadama being a hub for criminals will be erased,” he said. 

Violence

Mr Ziyad also advised the residents not to allow themselves to be used as agents in fomenting trouble during the 2016 polls.

He said this year’s elections should not be a do-or-die affair and therefore asked the people to go about their party campaign activities devoid of physical attacks and the use of abusive language.

“Honestly, this community is violent when it comes to matters of elections. But strangely, we are the least privileged in terms of access to the national cake, so must you be involving yourselves in political violence?” he asked.

Mr Ziyad again urged the residents to make the attainment of good sanitation a priority, since it was a major challenge in Accra. 

Training

The Project Manager of Self-help Initiative Support Services (SISS), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) at Old Fadama, Mr Yaw Asante, impressed on the youth to remain focussed in their respective vocations in order to stay relevant.

He noted that the best way to fight poverty and illiteracy in the area was for parents to invest in their children’s education and for the youth to acquire practical skills.

“Sometimes if I tell my friends that I work at Old Fadama, they say I am endangering my life by working in such a dangerous area. But, you see, I have worked in this community for the past eight years and I have never suffered any violence. The people here are humane and act with conscience,” he stated.

Advice

The President of the Dynamic Fun Club, Mr Isaac Wassah, advised the youth to work hard and be disciplined if they wanted to be sucessful in life.