Accra, July 16, GNA – A panel of young people at a roundtable organized by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has reiterated the significance of upholding human rights in every democratic dispensation.
The panelists who spoke on the topic “The Trouble With Our Democracy: The Youth Perspective,” included Madam Nana Akosua Hanson, Radio and Television Presenter/Artistic Activist; Madam Vera Abena Addo, a Youth Advocate; Mr Samuel Alesu Dordzi, a Legal Practitioner and Mr Abdul Karem Ibrahim, a Broadcast Journalist.
They expressed the view that in consolidating Ghana’s democratic gains, it was important that freedom of expression, free speech and humans rights were adhered to.
Madam Hanson said human rights was a very important part of Ghana’s democracy and that human rights fell on the understanding that every human being had dignity.
She said human rights encompasses freedom of expression, freedom of free speech, freedom of thought and freedom of belief.
She noted that human rights and protecting the environment were a huge part of Ghana’s democracy.
Madam Addo advocated for the building of an all-inclusive democracy, which included the youth, women, children and the vulnerable in society.
She argued that the growing level of inequality in society should be addressed as part of consolidating the nation’s democracy.
She said there was the need to ensure equity and some fair distribution of the national cake.
Madam Addo, who doubles as an Assembly woman, advocated for the promotion of decentralization as part of efforts to bring governance to the door step of the people.
Mr Ibrahim noted that the Media were both the victim and one of the sources of the problems of Ghana’s democracy.
He therefore, urged the media to be up and doing and to hold duty bearers accountable to the people.
Mr Dordzi said the topic for the panel discussion, sounded like the title of a book written by Chinua Achebe, “The Trouble With Nigeria”.
He said there was indiscipline in society, citing Chenua Achibe, he said: “In summary, the indiscipline of an ordinary citizen, regrettable as it maybe, does not pose a serious threat to society because it can generally be contained by his fellow citizens or at worse by a couple of policemen but the indiscipline of a leader is a different matter all together…”
Mr Dordzi urged duty bearers to engage the youth in the national development agenda.
GNA