Upper East Regional Coordinating Council Assistant Director, Yvonne Wonchua, has urged young people in the region to use social media platforms, particularly TikTok, to promote positive values and create economic opportunities rather than engage in insults and abusive content.
She said social media could serve as a powerful tool for young people to market their skills, businesses and talents and contribute to their livelihoods.
Ms. Wonchua made the call during the commemoration of the 2026 International Youth Day organized by Activista Ghana under ActionAid Ghana, held in Bolgatanga, where she interacted with young people and encouraged them to adopt positive attitudes towards work and personal development.
She expressed concern that some young people, particularly females, were increasingly using TikTok to insult and attack other people, describing the practice as unproductive.
“I have seen the young people in Upper East like TikTok a lot, but you can use TikTok to advertise good things. But most of us, especially the females, we are using TikTok to insult people. And then it doesn’t bring us anything.”
She encouraged the youth to instead use the platform to promote their businesses, skills, products and other positive initiatives.
“Social media should be used for positive things. Bring food to our table, not bad things.”
Ms. Wonchua also challenged young people to reconsider the perception that government employment is the only pathway to economic security. She encouraged them to acquire practical and vocational skills, particularly through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and explore entrepreneurship while waiting for formal employment opportunities.
According to her, the northern sector has traditionally relied heavily on government employment due to limited industrial and private-sector opportunities, but young people must develop alternative means of earning a living.
She urged the youth not to be discouraged by delays in achieving their career ambitions, sharing her own experience of failing Mathematics several times before eventually gaining admission to teacher training college.
Ms. Wonchua said determination and continuous self-development had enabled her to progress from teaching to the civil service. She advised young people to remain hopeful, work hard and use whatever legitimate opportunities available to them to build sustainable livelihoods.
A1Radioonline.com | 101.1MHz | Joshua Asaah | Bolgatanga
