We have failed Ghana’s youth and we must rebuild trust and restore hope - Frimpong-Boateng

Appearing on a television talk programme last Saturday, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, a former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation said Ghana’s leadership has failed the youth. 

Speaking on TV3’s current affairs programme on Saturday [Nov 30, 2024], Prof Frimpong-Boateng therefore urged the current leaders to work towards rebuilding the lost trust and restoring hope among young Ghanaians.

His reason was that many young people in Ghana are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the country’s political system. 

He pointed to poor leadership and corruption as key factors contributing to this sense of hopelessness.

“Young people are entitled to say that we’ve failed them,” Frimpong-Boateng said. “I have children and grandchildren, and I hear their concerns. We’ve failed them, and I don’t want to be part of the group that has let them down. I want to do something to restore their hope.”

He stressed the need for a new kind of leadership, one focused on self-sacrifice and the long-term survival of the nation. 

He pointed out that for decades, Ghana’s leadership has failed to meet the basic needs of its people, such as food, shelter, healthcare, and security. Instead, leaders have prioritised short-term gains, neglecting critical issues like corruption, climate change, and the mismanagement of resources.

Prof Frimpong-Boateng, a heart surgeon who served as CEO of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital the lack of sacrifice from those in power was also to blame and pointed to examples of leaders in history who made significant personal sacrifices for the greater good.

“Leadership is about sacrifice for the common good, not about personal wealth or power,” he said. “Until our leaders make this commitment, Ghana will continue to struggle.”

Prof Frimpong-Boateng also raised the issue of persistent corruption within the country. Despite claims from successive governments of progress in fighting corruption, he insisted that Ghana continues to suffer from a corrupt system that hinders the country’s development.

“Corruption is the reason why we have not made progress. Ghana has abundant resources and intelligent people, both at home and abroad. Yet, we remain stuck because of corruption,” he stated. “Anyone who tells you that we are fighting corruption seriously is not being truthful.”

He urged Ghanaian leaders to focus on restoring hope among young people, stressing that real change must come through action, not just words. 

Prof Frimpong Boteng called on leaders to shift their focus away from personal wealth and power and instead work towards creating a system that ensures a better future for all Ghanaians.

“We need leadership that is focused on the survival of this country,” he concluded. “It’s not about you or your family. It’s about the people, the millions of Ghanaians who look to us for hope and a brighter future.”