The capacity of the youth in the Western Region, needs to be built to take advantage of the discovery of oil and gas in the area, says Mr. Emmanuel Dei Tumi, a motivational speaker.
Mr. Dei Tumi, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Foundation for Future Leaders International, cautioned that if the youth are sidelined in the business prospects, it could have serious repercussions to the socio-economic development of the country.
He was speaking on the topic: "Challenges of the Ghanaian Youth," during a symposium at the 61st Annual New Year School, held in Accra on Wednesday.
The theme for this year's school is on the theme: "Sustaining Democratic Governance in Ghana: Issues before the Nation."
For more than 60 years, the school had provided the platform for a cross-section of people to discuss issues of both national and international concern.
Mr. Dei Tumi noted that the Ghanaian youth faced a number of challenges that include neglect, verbal and physical abuse, unemployment and mismatch in the world of employment.
He expressed worry about what he described as the creation of "class-like system" in the educational system, where students in the urban areas treat students who schooled in small communities at the countryside, with contempt.
Mr. Dei Tumi said such class distinctions in the country's educational system created mental barriers that stalled the self-development of the victims.
He called for inclusion of the youth in the democratic process in spite of their political, religious or ethnic connection.
Mrs. Charlotte Osei, Lead Counsel of the Prime Attorneys, a private corporate entity, expressed dissatisfaction about the educational system and stressed that it had failed to challenge the youth to use their full potential for socio-economic development.
She said the older generation had also failed in setting right example for the youth, adding that many adults lied, stole, and acted lawlessly.
Mrs. Osei said many of the youth copied some indiscreet adults by breaking the law and resorting to quick rich schemes, saying the trend should be reversed in order to prepare the youth for the future.
Mr. Frank Lartey Jnr. from the National Youth Council, called for the setting up of a parliament to harness the potential of the youth to contribute towards the decision-making process.
He said participation in governance would not only promote national integration but also afford the youth the opportunity to make meaningful contribution towards national development.