By Francis Kwabena Cofie, GNA
Accra, (G/A), May 28, GNA – The youth have been urged to value respect for the elderly, authority figures and institutions of authority to maintain the cultural traditions of state and promote harmony in society.
The spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency following the celebration of the religious festival of Eid-Al- Adha.
He said the celebration of Eid- Al- Adha marks a period where animals are sacrificed in commemoration of the act of Abraham and his son.
In harmony with the teachings and virtues of the celebration, he expressed concern about the use of abusive language which is becoming a subculture of the Ghanaian society.
“Young people in the name of free expression can now subject their elders to insult and threats hiding in the cloak of politics within the political space,” he observed.
In the Ghanaian society, he said one of the core values and tradition is the value of decent public speech and respect for the elderly.
“It is disappointing that young people insult elders and we do not come out to condemn such acts but rather find a way within the political space and encourage it,” he noted.
Sheikh Shaibu said this is damaging and making the younger generation wayward, adding that, the Ghanaian society must be worried about the practice.
By this action, he said, the larger society was failing the future generation because the rightful path was not being charted for them to follow the path of dignity and respect for the elderly, our culture and tradition.
He said Ghanaian culture is rooted with the value of deep respect for the elderly and authority, urging the youth to maintain such values.
Recounting the moral lessons derived from the celebration, he referred to obedience to parents and authority as cherished values of the teachings of Islam in celebration the yearly ritual.
He mentioned the significance of the value of loyalty to leadership, adding that patience and fortitude are key ingredients needed to possess during all tests that confront humankind without giving up in whatever positions and situations.
Furthermore, he encouraged the affluent and well-to-do in society to practice the virtue of sharing.
“As a society, we must remember that God did not create us equally in terms of our financial and economic fortunes. As such we must position ourselves as avenues through which God blesses the less fortunate of society,” he said.
Sheikh Shaibu called for moderation in celebration to avoid over-indulgence, adding that the youth must comport themselves in the confines of the law in order not to mar the beauty of the celebration.
He touched on the menace of drug abuse, which he said continued to be a canker in sections of society and called on society at large to find sustainable ways to address the canker.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah