Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, has charged the youth to respect and obey the laws of the country and demonstrate leadership at every level of the society as the future leaders.
Mr Osei Owusu said this on the occasion of the Commonwealth Day celebration in Accra on the theme: “A Peace-Building Commonwealth”.
In Ghana the Commonwealth Day 2017 was observed by Parliament with a debate for various tertiary institutions. The topic for the debate was whether: “The Free Senior High School (SHS) Policy of Government is Feasible”.
Some of the competing institutions are the University of Ghana Students Parliament, KNUST Students Parliament, University of Professional Studies Students Parliament, University of Development Studies Students Parliament, University of Cape Coast Students Parliament and Islamic University Students Parliament.
Mr Osei-Owusu challenged the youth to also examine why societies are not functioning the way they should. The Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II, in a message, urged member states to ensure peace founded on respect and understanding for one another.
She charged them to build peace by defending the dignity of every individual and community. “On this Commonwealth day, the Queen’s baton would be sent out from Buckingham Palace and begin a long and extraordinary journey.
“Over the next twelve months, the baton would visit people living in the nations and territories of the Commonwealth family in every continent and ocean.
“It is expected that the Queen’s baton would bring together, through its route and symbolism, almost 2.5 billion people who share the special connection of being Commonwealth citizens,” the message said.
Queen Elizabeth II also charged member states of the organisation to uphold justice and the rule of law and strive to build societies that are fair and offer opportunities for all.
She stressed the need for the people to overcome their division and find reconciliation so that the benefits of progress and prosperity may be multiplied and shared.
“As members of the Commonwealth family we can find much to be thankful for in the inheritance we have received from those who came before us. Through consensus and cooperation great things have been achieved” the message said.
She said the Commonwealth could find further reward and fulfillment by continuing to collaborate with others in a spirit of goodwill to build a peaceful and abundant future for all Commonwealth citizens
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