A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Legon, Dr. Charles Wiafe Akenteng, has urged Ghanaians to adopt the practice of re-engineering their thoughts and values that would lead to national development.
He said this will ensure the needed restoration of the national value system that would place the country firmly on the path to sustained development.
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He made this call recently in Accra during the 9th edition of the National Development Forum organised by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and Ghana Eximbank.
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Speaking on the topic: Societal Values and National Development: Consolidating the Gains, Dr. Wiafe-Akenteng explained how the recent societal values has corrupt the thoughts and habits of the youth which is impacting negatively on society and affecting national development.
Dr. Wiafe Akenteng argued that Ghanaians, likewise, the youth should re-engineer their thoughts and minds to embrace the old values of culture that would inure to national development.
The Senior Lecturer stressed that, though Ghana has been blessed with values that can enhance the political and socio-economic development, it has not being successful to maintain and transform citizens into better attitudes and habits.
“This also can dominate the thoughts, action and discourse of its citizens to a desired results,” he said.
He further called for a concerted effort to re-engineer the country’s society.
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“The country needed to work on its value system for a comprehensive socio-economic development. There must be a call for the re-introduction of traditional values which enhances relevant and utilitarian values,” he said.
Present at the panel discussion were Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education, (NCCE), Josephine Nkrumah, Dr. Wiafe Akenteng, Former Presiding Bishop at Methodist Church, Ghana, Most Reverend Dr Aboagye Mensah and Professor Joseph Osafo, Head of Psychology Department, University of Ghana, Legon.
Josephine Nkrumah cited countries such as Singapore that had graciously succeeded through their trusted core values which are honesty, integrity among others.
“They got there not just because of the country’s excellence in infrastructure, good policy and hard-working of its citizens but through the practice of good values,” she noted.
Most Reverend Dr. Aboagye Mensah also outlined some values that is needed to be taught in various institutions to enhance the democratic process of the country.
Professor Joseph Osafo emphasized the need to strengthen the laws of the country and reward good behaviors. Participants called on government to ensure the introduction of Civic responsibilities in the early stages of education.
Source: Eric Nii Sackey || ghananewsonline.com.gh
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