By Elliot Sarpong
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman A. Ayariga Esq., has called on churches, families, and state institutions to collaborate in restoring moral values among young Ghanaians amid growing digital influence.
Speaking at the Christian Council of Ghana as part of activities marking National Youth Month, Mr. Ayariga stressed the need to nurture a generation of young people who are not only talented and technologically equipped but also guided by discipline, honesty, and integrity.
Under the theme, “Rebuilding Values, Inspiring Patriotism: Empowering the Youth in the Digital Age,” the NYA CEO warned that technological advancement without strong moral foundations could undermine national progress.
He pointed to recent incidents, including the attack on the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School over false ritual allegations, violence against a teacher at Kade Senior High Technical School for enforcing examination rules, and clashes involving students of various senior high schools, as signs of declining tolerance among young people. Read Also: NBA Pushes Stronger Biosafety Framework for Vaccine Manufacturing
Mr. Ayariga observed that while the causes of these incidents differed, they reflected a worrying trend of young people struggling to resolve disagreements without resorting to violence.
He called for schools to focus not only on academic achievement but also on character formation, noting that education should equip students with the values needed to become responsible citizens.
He further expressed concern about the misuse of social media, where some users attack public officials, traditional leaders, religious figures, and ordinary citizens instead of using digital platforms for constructive discussions and learning.
According to him, freedom of expression must be balanced with responsibility, truthfulness, and respect for others.
The NYA CEO appealed to the Christian Council to use its wide community presence to promote values such as discipline, respect for authority, patriotism, and peaceful conflict resolution through churches, youth groups, and media platforms. http://ghanaweb.com
Quoting biblical passages from Proverbs 22:6 and Hebrews 12:11, he urged stakeholders to raise young people who value integrity, service, dialogue, and truth above shortcuts and misinformation.
“Talent without integrity is a liability, not an asset,” he said, adding that while the NYA remains committed to creating opportunities for young people, skills alone cannot guarantee meaningful progress without good character.
Responding, the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Cyril G.K. Fayose, described the partnership as significant and pledged the Council’s support in promoting youth discipline, integrity, and patriotism.
He revealed that the Council, which represents 31 member churches across all 16 regions, was prepared to develop a pastoral statement to encourage churches to focus more on values education among young people.
Rev. Fayose also highlighted concerns about cybercrime, particularly the growing number of older citizens falling victim to online scams. He suggested that young people could be trained to assist others in using technology safely and responsibly.
He emphasized that values education must begin from homes and continue through basic schools, secondary schools, tertiary institutions, and Sunday schools to achieve lasting impact.
The event, which brought together clergy, NYA officials, and the media, formed part of activities marking National Youth Month.
