"Radicalism Without Rationalism Is Sheer Stupidity!" Says Dr. Vladimir Antwi Danso

A senior research fellow at Legon Centre for International Affairs at the

University of  Ghana-Legon, Dr. Vladirmir Antwi Danso has urged
young people to use legitimate and constitutional means to get their concerns

 addressed,and not through radical means. In his view, "Radicalism without rationalism

is sheer stupidity". Dr. Antwi-Danso was addressing young people at a quarterly Youth
 Colloquium organised by the Children and Youth In Broadcasting-Curious Minds
 at the British Council in Accra.

Speaking on the theme: "Accelerating Youth Empowerment for a Sustainable
Development", Dr. Antwi-Danso said empowerment of youth will position them
to promote development and not as agents of destruction instead. He added
that with "vibrant,empowered and well informed youth,Africa can overcome" .

Present at the colloquium were Mr. Kingsley Obeng-Kyereh,Executive Coordinator
 of Curious Minds, Mr. Archibald Donkor,National Youth authority, and
Dr. Alabo,Director for Africa and Regional Integration Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs And Regional Integration.Others were students,persons with disabilty,members of Planned Parenthood Association-Ghana(PPAG) and Curious Minds.

In a short message, Mrs. Adwoa Nyanteng Yenyi,a Programmes Officer with PPAG
 revealed that many young people are in need of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health(ASRH) messages. According to her, more than 2000 people are infected with HIV world wide, and that, if
young people are armed with the necessary knowledge, they will be able to take healthy
decisions. Mrs. Yenyi called on stake holders to invest in the education and
empowerment of young people since their health and development are directly
related to the attainment of the Millenium Development Goals(MDGs) targets.

Mr. Hamza Suhini, President of National Union of Ghana Students(NUGS), stated
that there are opportunities for young people, but as to whether those
opportunities are being used well is an issue to look at. Mr. Suhini admitted
that there are many young people  in the various media establishments who are exceling,
 but their programme content, he said are not young people related. He further said that
addressing young people's issues is a collective responsibility
which should not be left for government alone. He concluded by saying,"The
battle for our development is not for NDC,NPP,CPP and the like,but a battle
for young people".

In his closing Remarks, the Chairperson for the occasion, Mr. Dennis Ofosu Appiah
advised the youth to use the opportunities that come their way well. Mr Appiah, who is also the
 head at Centre for Constitutional Order added that young people must learn to create
 opportunities where there seems to be none.

As the programme reached its tail end,participants had the chance to engage guest speakers in some interactions. Some students  made it known that the colloquium was impressive. They reqested for it to be replicated in other regions. According to them, statements made by guest speakers inspired them.