Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, member of parliament (MP) for Korle Klottey constituency, says the government’s initiatives and programmes on youth development are not changing the lives of the youth.
“They are propaganda. They have all the nice words; Youth in Agric, YouStart, etc, but these are not changing the lives of our young people,” she said.
The MP said this at a lecture to mark the 44th anniversary of the 4 June uprising at Hohoe in the Volta Region, dubbed: “Saving our democracy: The spirit of June 4.”
Agyeman-Rawlings said the government must recognise the aspirations of the youth and channel its policies to meet those aspirations instead of “forcing people to do what sounds nice on paper. This is not how you build a nation.”
The country’s democracy, which is 30 years and running, was built on the foundation of discipline, integrity, accountability and transparency, she said.
Remain united
The MP urged members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to be proud of their heritage, have the courage to fight injustice and not be divided, especially on tribal or religious grounds.
Governs Kwame Agbodza, MP for Adaklu constituency and Minority chief whip, said party members must uphold the vision of the founders and sacrifice to ensure that the NDC wins power in 2024.
He said the 2024 general election will not be a challenging task if the members believe in the June 4 uprising.
Samuel Ablakwa Okudzeto, the North Tongu MP, said the NDC must work hard to reclaim the Hohoe parliamentary seat from the New Patriotic Party.
The young people in the party must reflect on the story of courage and sacrifice of the late former president Jerry John Rawlings and speak against injustice to make the necessary impact, Okudzeto said.
Eric Bortey, general secretary of the June 4 Movement, said the celebration helped citizens to know the history of the NDC adding that the factors that led to the uprising included high cost of goods and services, which is still persistent.
Alhaji Farouk Gyamodie, Volta regional chairman of the June 4 Movement, said bad governance, political arrogance, corruption, shortage of commodities and tribalism were some events that led to the June 4 uprising.
“The period of Supreme Military Council (SMC) I and II was full of misery. Ghanaians were looking and waiting patiently for a messiah.”
He said basic commodities such as matches, sugar, soap and toilet rolls, which were in short supply, were given new baptismal names as “essential commodities. The story of June 4 must be told daily, weekly, monthly and yearly.”
Aside the declaration and celebration of independence on 6 March 1957, the only event that brought joy to all Ghanaians was the June 4 uprising, Antwi Bosiako, a member of the June 4 Movement, said.
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