Kasoa ritual killing and young people indulgence in Get-Rich-Quick schemes

Recent jaw dropping revelation about some teenagers with the age bracket of 18 to 19 years, who conspired and murdered an eleven year old boy, Ishmael Mensah, in the Kasoa enclave for money rituals has sent chills and shocks to the spines of the nation and the leadership of the National Youth Authority (NYA) , an umbrella body in charge of youth affairs is not an exception.

Admittedly, this development has generated a national discourse with many querying what could push these teens to perpetuate this heinous crime. Didn’t they have conscience? Was it because of penury or mere lust for vanity? Some school of thoughts are blaming this on the explicit exposure by the media? Perhaps, it is bad parenting accompanied with a corrupted society.

Tellingly, it is no secret that our societal fabric has been infested with ‘Get-Rich-Quick” schemes and other social vices. Those who get caught in these vices are the vulnerable in society.

Back then, it was about young scholars with the finest academic grades, but fast forward, nowadays it is about which young lad is driving the latest SUVs’ out of nothing compared to hard work.

It is thought-provoking and pathetic that our future leaders seem to be struggling to find their fate, as far as succeeding in life is concerned.

As a parent, guardian or a leader of any youth-focused group, it will be appropriate for us all to do a thorough soul searching about the future of our young generation. We must reinvent and re-orient the mindset of our kids and wards.

The NYA leadership expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved family of the late Ishmael Mensah for this sudden painful loss.

Since it takes a whole village to raise a child, the Authority humbly appeals to all social institutional heads, especially our homes, which is the first place of touch of any child, to be more vigilant, guided enough to nurture and instill good morals coupled with godliness in our young ones.

Again, it is no doubt that the media, which is also known as the ‘fourth estate of the realm’ is very powerful. They have the tenacity to influence, educate and inform. But at this point in our lives where children are at home, we expect media channels to use their space to disseminate educative programs than to be televising distasteful footages. Let’s use our digital platforms responsibly to the benefit of our youth and ultimately Ghana.

● MESSAGE TO THE YOUTH

Rome was not built in a day and every good thing takes time to flourish and shimmer. You have to take your education, or craft serious to excel and get remunerated. Taking someone’s life in a quest to pursue a certain get-rich-quick scheme is grievously devilish. It is abominable and unlawful. An old famous adage indicates that “money is the root of all evil”, and it’s true.

I want to admonish all the young ones in the country to eschew corner-cutting mindset to riches. Instead, they should just stay put to education, talents or crafts and the rest will be history.

Finally, whilst trying to apportion blames to some peculiar quarters following this awful incident at Kasoa, we need to take a closer look at policies carefully drafted to tackle the welfare of young people in the country. The future is the youth.

Edem Latsu Nukafu

National Youth Authority