Our hopes for a just and free Ghana find their root and their support in our students and the youth. Students and youths who are our future leaders have the vigorous energy and dynamic stamina for a realistic and meaningful reconstruction of our dear motherland. 

Unfortunately, however, some people are prejudiced against the youth of today. Such people see our youth, especially University Students, as a rowdy and protest-loving lot who are not only ever ready to destroy but also willing to be used as instruments of destructions. 

It may be that such criticisms are true in some cases. In fact sometimes, student protests are carried into excess and in so doing many complicated problems are created. 

However, recent history is clearly indicating that the youth and students of Ghana can be a dynamic force of social change in our society. The youth have stated again and again that they are in to break down any inhuman and reactionary structures which impede socio-economic freedom of the toiling masses. 

Some students have also shown that their actions are in line with their utterances. For example, the students of University of Cape Coast were recently reported to have broken lectures for a fortnight in order to educate Ghanaians especially those who live in the rural areas on the objectives of the June 4, Revolution. But this was done by a small section of students. 

lndeed, the success of the current national clean-up largely the practical ability of all exercise will depend on students and youth to offer voluntary services to their communities because empty verbal support of the revolution is not enough. Words must be backed by practical acts. 

In some countries, there is a labour semester. During this time all students go and offer voluntary service on projects all over the country. This labour semester is economically profitable to the state. And for the students it is a school of patriotic and labour education, an opportunity to reveal their abilities, and to know the rural areas better. The National Union of Ghana Students should start thinking of such a scheme for the long summer vacations.

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

We therefore, call upon local Student Unions in villages. towns and cities to act now. Community development should be seen by all students as a revolutionary responsibility which will bring prosperity and true freedom to our dear motherland.

 

 

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