Many of our hopes for a just and free Ghana find their root and their support in the youth. But unfortunately some people are prejudiced against the youth of today. Such people see the youth especially University students as rowdy and protest-loving lot who are always ready to destroy. 

It may be true that sometimes student protests are taken too far and in so doing new and more complicated problems are created. However, students have stated again and again that they are in to break down any inhuman and reactionary structures in our society and bring economic freedom without which there is no true freedom.

 Barely a month to their final examinations students were reported to have decided to break lectures for two weeks in order to go round and explain the objectives of the June 4 Revolution to those in the Ghanaians, especially rural areas who do not have the true picture and impact of what is significant and happening This is a remarkable sacrifice. 

Indeed, the success of the current national clean-up exercise will depend largely on the practical ability of students and youths to offer voluntary services to their communities because verbal support for the achievements of the revolution will not be enough unless it is backed by practical acts. 

Now a word to our revolutionary leaders. This is not the  first time students have practically demonstrated their support for a government. 

In 1972, students did everything in their power to galvanize the whole nation into action to support what appeared to be a revolution. They left lectures to cut sugar cane at Asutuare and dig the hard grounds of Dawhenya.

 Unfortunately, however, the leaders developed pot bellies, while they advised the common man to tighten his belt. Kalabule filled the air and corrupted the social system. Hence, students quickly withdrew their support and the government fell. Therefore the present leaders should learn a lesson from that and be true leaders who will not underestimate the constructive energy of the youth and students. 

Student power is a united power. It is like a dam which when well constructed brings positive energy for development purposes. But once the dam in a mountain collapses, it releases masses of water that rush down, destroying everything. Development and not destruction must be the goal of student power. 

We, therefore, call upon Student Unions in villages, towns and cities to emulate the steps of their counterparts at Cape Coast University in order to develop our communities. Community development should be considered as a revolutionary responsibility which bring prosperity to the younger generation. The important thing is to get started. Time is pressing and we are 22 years behind. 

Kojo Kuada, 

Accra.