Business Coach Albert Sheibila Mali, speaking on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Region, has highlighted the extreme difficulty in mobilizing young people in the Upper East Region to attend free personal development and capacity-building programs.
The conversation around participation in personal development programs began after the host of A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show, Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith, shared insights after leading the organization of two youth-oriented programs in the region over the last two years.
“It has not always been easy, I must confess. Many of these programs are free, but mobilizing people for them, helping them understand the purpose of the program and encouraging their participation has always been a struggle,” he said.
According to Mr. Mali, one major setback is the perception young people have about immediate returns and incentives from such programs.
“One of the things we have observed among young people pertains to perceived benefits or outcomes. The youth do not believe that these programs can significantly improve their economic prospects or quality of life. It’s like what we have always said: if you put money and a banana in front of a monkey, the monkey would definitely pick the banana, not realizing that the money could be used to buy more bananas. They believe these programs won’t provide them with immediate financial gains. They do not see these programs as something that can enhance their economic prospects in the future. They are very reluctant to participate in these programs.”
Mr. Mali continued, stating, “I have been telling people that in order to improve your life, particularly your financial life, you need to have a skill in something. Acquiring a skill can be achieved through participating in these programs.”
Additionally, Mr. Mali called on parents to take a greater interest in the personal development of their children.
Meanwhile, the CEO of AquaBolg Natural Mineral Water, esteemed media practitioner, and football administrator, Humul Khrusum Tahiru, has raised concerns about the interest of young people in the Upper East Region in participating in various programs, including religious and personal development activities.
Madam Tahiru explained that the situation is exceptionally worse when considering personal development programs.
“Even with entertainment and religious programs, I doubt if we have the interest to the level where we would have wanted young people to be interested. Generally, we have a bad attitude when it comes to program attendance in this region. It doesn’t matter what kind of program it is. But it becomes worse when it comes to capacity-building programs. Sometimes, they feel that it is of no essence,” she said.
Additionally, Raymond Ayinne, a Youth Activist, has also expressed strong disappointment over the general disinterest of the youth in personal development and capacity-building programs.
Mr. Ayinne, who has been part of the organisation of many youth-led and beneficial programs, explained that it was unfortunate that young people do not participate in such programs.
The conversation around participation in personal development programs began after the host of A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show, Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith, shared some insights after leading the organisation of two youth-oriented programs in the region over the last two years.
“I have been involved in a number of activities geared towards empowering young people, and you realise that despite all your marketing and promotional efforts, many young people are adamant. Let me digress a bit to say that the situation in the Upper East Region is not peculiar to Northern Ghana. If you go to Tamale and organise an event, and you put out a flyer, people contact you for details of the activities. That is the sort of demonstration of interest in their self-development. You also see that in the Upper West Region. In the case of the Upper West Region, 30 minutes before the start of the program, the hall will be filled with people who have seen it and are chasing you to be part of it. People also call you and give you feedback on how to improve the programs. The same cannot be said about the Upper East Region,” he said.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
