Mrs Wood said it was therefore important to make the youth aware of their responsibility at the early stage of their development so as to contribute their quota towards national building.

“Our generation bears the burden of moulding the lives of our youth and set them on the path of right for their individual growth and development as well as the progress of the nation.”

She was speaking at the 10th Annual Chief Justice Mentoring Programme on the theme “Mobilising for Ghana’s Future- the Rights, Duties and Obligation of a Responsible Youth,” in Accra. The mentoring programme attracted over 200 people, some drawn from 17 Senior High Schools in the Greater Accra, Eastern, Central and Upper East Regions.

Some female porters (Kayayie) in Accra also took part in the programme.

Participating students would have the opportunity to visit Parliaments, interact with members of the bench and bar and take part in Career Counselling Sessions. The Chief Justice recounted that as future leaders of the country they should be proud to discharge their duty with honour and dignity adding “we trust that our modest contribution will make a meaningful impact in your lives.”

She therefore called for the harnessing of collective energies towards the realisation of the goal of founding fathers of the nationn. The Chief Justice, who has two weeks to retire, lauded DANIDA, UNFPA and other stakeholder for supporting her mentoring programme for the past decade. In a speech read on his behalf Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister of Education, noted that a nation that sought to progress must harness the potential and talents of its youth.

Dr Prempeh reiterated that education continued to be critical in nation building and social mobility, adding “This is the rationale behind the government’s free Senior High School policy which seeks to remove financial barriers that impede access to Senior High School.”

The Minister, however, said in educating the youth, the country should not only focus on academic, vocational or technical training but imbibe in the youth core values to grow to become responsible and upright citizens.

“A child who grows up fully aware of his or her duties as a responsible citizen is more likely to live a life that places the country first. Such a citizen will not litter indiscriminately, will not engage in corrupt practices, will be diligent in his or her work and will aspire to the highest levels of integrity and service to the country.”

Mr Joe Ghartey Minister of Railway Development who read former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s good will message said the CJ’s mentoring programme is an “initiative that is important in safeguarding and anchoring the lives of impressionable and malleable young adults on positive thoughts and endeavours.

The former President urged the students to drink deep from the knowledge and wisdom from speakers so that their participation will be worthwhile and rewarding. Tove Degnol, Danish Ambassador in Ghana, said DANIDA has supported the Judicial Service through the CJ’s mentoring programme since 2008 and was also lending a hand in the ongoing Rights to Services and Good Governance which spans from 2014 to 2018.

According to the Danish Ambassador, the funding was aimed at demystifying Judicial Service operations through public engagement activities. She said encouraging future careers on the bench and in the legal profession could be considered as one of the initial steps to protecting the rights of citizens and reducing vulnerabilities.