Principal of SOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College, Titi Ofei has stated that students who are unable to express themselves have the high tendency of taking to violence.
According to him, Democracy is about people being able to constructively communicate their views since each and every one matter as an individual and as a representative of any group.
Mr. Ofei, hence challenged heads and teachers of schools to allow their students to be expressive as it will go a long way in making them independent while serving as a boost on their confidence level.
“…When we cannot speak or express ourselves, we take to violence. That’s not good enough and that’s why every young person here needs to be able to express themselves. Not only in History or Geography but also in the ideas that you develop or what you think about. I personally think that schools should allow young people to express themselves because that is where we begin to show the democratic principles that govern us,” he said.
Titi Ofei was speaking at the 2018 Democracy and Governance (D&G) Boot Camp organized by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) themed “Equipping Tomorrow’s Influencers”.
The week long workshop seeks to empower and motivate selected Junior and Senior High School students from each region to maximize resources, feed their passions in democracy and governance, challenge ideas, as well as demonstrate leadership skills amongst fellow campers and wherever they may find themselves.
Addressing the 45 young participants, the academician challenged students to move out of their comfort zones and speak their mind on a variety of issues with “common sense”.
He reiterated that youth should not be tagged as disrespectful whenever they express their views or defend themselves with words, as he believes that helps empower them while enriching their skills on inter-personal communication which is needed to transform society.
He said, “I don’t believe that if you speak your mind you are a bad person or a bad child. Speak your mind, be active. You have ideas, express them. For me that is the beginning of empowerment in our nation.”
As part of the activities lined up for the boot camp, participants will tour the Parliament of Ghana, Jubilee House, Judiciary aside having one-on-one interactions with policy makers.
There will also be community outreach at three selected locations including the Tema Harbor where the students will be tested to observe challenges within the set up and provide solutions as a group.
