Kpando, Ghana—UPF-Ghana celebrated UN International Youth Day with a program teaching young people how to live public lives.
On August 13, 2015, a program titled "Youth Civic Engagement" took place at the Roman Catholic Church in Kpando Dzoanti.
A young man, Hon. Eric Nutsu, aspiring for a seat in the local Assembly, organized young people from four communities in his jurisdiction, with the result that 164 young men and women, both in school and out of school, attended the event.
The theme of the program was the essential need for young people to become involved politically, economically or socially in order to achieve sustainable human development and shape their future.
Providing a clear understanding of good leadership, the UPF secretary general presented a PowerPoint lecture on “Spiritual Values as a Foundation for Leadership.” Emphasis was laid on comparing the fruits of an unselfish life with the fruits of a self-centered life. The participants acknowledged that all conflicts are fueled by selfish individuals, but somehow were surprised to note that such selfish people continue to do the same even after they die. The presentation provided good insights to young people who had demonstrated a desire for political leadership, in particular the relevance of spiritual discipline for those who want to succeed as leaders.
An opinion leader from the Dzoanti Gadza electoral area, Hon. Emil Senyo Wordey, thanked UPF for such a systematic presentation and its content. He advised the young audience to take advantage of their youth in order not to repeat the mistakes of some of their leaders/parents. "A failure in life," he said, "is an opportunity to prepare for the things further to come."
The young people generally expressed their interest to further interact with UPF-Ghana.
UPF-Ghana has established a cordial relationship with the people of the town of Kpando as a result of the organic farming project being established for them by UPF-Germany through the Ghana chapter.
The project proposal, which is awaiting approval from the donor agencies in Germany, will cover about 3,250 hectares of land (over 8,000 acres) directly benefitting 5,320 farmers, but indirectly benefitting the entire municipality. It will involve organic cultivation of diverse vegetables, rice and pineapple.
However, UPF’s presence in the area not only will focus on the farming project but also from time to time will provide other peace intervention activities, such as education, health care and relief services.