The greatest treasure parents, guardians and stakeholders must bequeath the country is to mold the youth to become invaluable assets to benefit generations yet unborn.
Rev Eddie Eyison of the Royal House Chapel, Accra, who described the youth as the backbone of the nation in an interview with The Spectator, said this was necessary because the youth formed the largest population of the country, therefore, if care was not taken in molding them well for the future, it would result in serious consequences.
He said this was necessary because the future belonged to the youth since the elderly would definitely leave the scene and hand over the mantle of leadership to them.
Rev Eyison said failure in this duty would be unacceptable and its repercussions would affect the socio-economic development of the country.
He said parents and guardians, the first teachers in the family, must whip-up the spirit of patriotism in children and guide them to embrace the challenges of life, adding that the task of nation- building should start from the formative years and this must be the responsibility of all and sundry.
Rev Eyison said since fast- growing economies in the world had benefitted from the rapid development of science and technology, it was incumbent on all to get the youth to develop interest in the study of these subjects.
He said parents must guide children to study programmes in which they developed interest because that was the only way they could make progress.
Rev Eyison explained that the situation whereby parents compelled children to study programmes against their wish should not be encouraged because of its negative effects on children.
He said it was unfortunate the youth had embraced foreign culture to the detriment of Ghanaian culture and were interested in making quick money instead of working hard to earn a decent living which was acceptable in the sight of God.
Rev Eyison said in the past the youth were taught what the country’s culture permitted, the best way they ought to dress, acceptable ways of life, how to conduct themselves in public and be courteous towards elders.
By Raymond Kyekye