Mrs Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, Chief Justice, has said that the country's educational policy must aim at training the youth to develop the right attitudes and skills to help in the development of the nation.
"A skilled youth, who is not disciplined, will not make any significant contribution to the development of the nation and so also is it true that, highly competent workers who do not know their responsibilities towards building a united country may destroy what they build", she said.
Mrs Wood was speaking on the theme "Coherent Education and Youth Policies: Pre-requisites for Democratic Governance" at the 43rd annual delegates congress of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) at the University College of Education, Winneba (Kumasi Campus) in Kumasi on Monday.
The Chief Justice said the ultimate goal of educational and youth policies should be the training of young people to support the promotion of economic growth, social and cultural development and the reduction of poverty.
She said it was important that the nation focused on providing meaningful direction for the development of the youth.
Mrs Wood noted that Ghana had already ratified a number of international treaties on the youth and was currently reviewing recommendations to fashion a National Youth Policy.
Nana Adu Gyamfi, Adontenhene of Asanteman, who stood in for the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, said the youth by virtue of their numbers, constituted a dominant group in the society and are the most affected by change.
Demographic, cultural, social and economic factors associated with those living in poverty often combine to present young men and women with serious challenges in their drive to ensure sustainable livelihood.
He observed that their lack of skills and knowledge as well as inadequate institutional support for the youth often make them to become wayward and vulnerable to prostitution, HIV/AIDS infection, early- child-bearing and other social vices.
He said there were clearly many problems facing the youth that needed to be addressed.
Nana Adu-Gyamfi said these included unemployment, deprivation and unequal opportunities, fuelling a feeling of disempowerment and disconnection.
"Unless these issues and other related ones are addressed in a timely, systematic and coherent manner, an air of despondency and resignation may set in which may resort to criminal activities or violence among the youth", he said.
Nana Adu-Gyamfi said it was the youth with their unique needs and concerns, who would either sustain the peace or generate instability.