By Joyce Danso, GNA
Accra, Oct. 30, GNA – Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has expressed concern that many young people are unwilling to invest time and effort in life’s foundational processes, preferring instead to “make it quick.”
“The fast-paced world we are all experiencing has found its way into the moral fabric of this society where young persons do not want to invest their time and energies into going through the rudiments of life but rather to ‘make it quick,’” he said.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie voiced the concern during a leadership seminar organised for the Orange Girls Justice Club in Accra, under the theme: “Looking beyond the present, creating visionary young women.”
He said judges and lawyers had risen through the ranks “through vision, hard work and sheer will to overcome numerous obstacles,” adding, “I also came from a very humble background and have had to rise through hard work.”
The Acting Chief Justice described the theme as timely, noting Ghana’s growing youth population, particularly among females, and emphasised that judges had a duty beyond the courtroom to promote equity, equality, and youth advancement.
“This has been the burden we carry as leadership of the Judiciary and the reason for our resolve to ensure the implementation of the Annual Chief Justice Mentoring Programme,” he stated.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said continued engagement with the Orange Girls, made up of female porters, was yielding results, with two members currently pursuing tertiary education.
He noted that judicial mentors had supported them financially and highlighted the establishment of judicial clubs in selected senior high schools, especially among the Orange Girls, as an effective advocacy tool for youth empowerment.
“This is a very heavy investment in the lives of these young people to bolster their foundation as they journey through life,” he said.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie encouraged the girls to recognise their potential, stating, “Our Orange Girls have the greatest opportunity to become better because you have the gift of mentors, count yourselves blessed, but even more so because you are the agents of change in your communities.”
Mr. Musah Ahmed, Judicial Secretary, said young people, especially females, were increasingly exposed to misleading narratives about wealth, success, and morality.
“Thus, the need for such educational seminars cannot be overemphasised, especially for females who may have different levels of vulnerability,” he said.
Mr Ahmed urged young women to value hard work and perseverance.
“They must be inspired to understand and value the lessons and experiences gained out of the moment of difficulty or despair, instead of resorting to and perpetuating the false narratives we currently have in society,” he said.
Justice Professor Olivia Anku-Tsede, Justice of the Court of Appeal and Chairperson of the Chief Justice Mentoring Planning Committee, advised the girls to be disciplined and uphold integrity in all their endeavours.
Mr. Faisal Bawa, National Programme Analyst for Gender and Gender-Based Violence at UNFPA, said the organisation was ready to support the Orange Girls programme, which aimed to uplift marginalised and disadvantaged girls.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey