The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has called on Ghanaian youth to reject corruption and resist division, urging them to embrace a new order of governance built on integrity, unity and accountability. “I urge you to reject corruption and resist division whenever you encounter them. When you choose unity over division, you strengthen the social fabric that holds our nation together. When you speak out against nepotism and injustice, you send a clear message that your generation will not tolerate practices that hold Ghana back,” Mr Afenyo-Markin told students of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), last Friday during the second leg of the launch of the Young Commons Forum (YCF).
The forum, which began at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, is expected to be rolled out across tertiary institutions nationwide. Its main objective is to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice, while nurturing the next generation of leaders and preparing them for the job market. The Winneba edition was held under the theme: “Our leader, our mentor, our protector.” A six-member interim executive committee of the YCF, led by its president Emmanuel Osei, was also inaugurated.
The Effutu MP, who is also the Minority Leader, urged students to live out the values of transparency and honesty in all aspects of their lives. “If you’re a student leader, be transparent with your colleagues. If you’re a volunteer in your community project, honour your commitment. If you take up national service, give it your best. If you run a small business, deal honestly with your customers,” he said, adding that accountability must become a shared value in practice.
He stressed that education alone was not enough to unlock the full potential of the youth, insisting that it must be supported by policies that empower them and create opportunities. “Youth empowerment cannot stop at the lecture hall; it must be backed by deliberate action that opens doors and removes barriers,” he added.
Mr Afenyo-Markin proposed a reimagined curriculum that embraces project-based learning to address real community challenges, as well as opportunities for communication, collaboration, global exposure, and practical civic engagement. “Leadership emerges from character, vision, and the capacity to inspire others into meaningful action,” he noted.
Highlighting the future of work, he said Ghana must invest in innovation, technology, digital creativity, manufacturing, and value addition. He called for deeper collaboration between government and the private sector to build an environment where ideas can thrive. “This means investing in research and development, ensuring access to capital for young entrepreneurs, and celebrating innovation rather than stifling it,” he emphasised.
Turning to politics, Mr Afenyo-Markin urged an end to the “You do me, I do you” cycle of political persecution, which he said undermines national development. “Sometimes we think by bringing down our opponents it will make us popular. It rather pushes the country back,” he warned.
He also challenged the youth to hold leaders accountable, while being accountable themselves. “Don’t abuse support for your entrepreneurial goals, because by doing so you deny the next generation an opportunity,” he said.
Chairing the event, a lecturer at UEW, Mr Eric Nketia, underscored the role of mentorship in leadership, urging current leaders to identify and nurture young people within their communities to take up leadership roles in the future.
Source: Daniel Kenu
