Youth Advocate calls for unity, volunteerism and inclusion to build stronger communities
Youth advocate says strong communities are built through unity, selfless service and the inclusion of every member in development.
A youth advocate, Norbert Alinyia in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality, has called on Ghanaians, particularly young people, to embrace unity, volunteerism and inclusion as essential pillars for building stronger and more resilient communities.
Speaking on Voices of Change on Mike FM on August 1, Alinyia said communities can only thrive when people work together, serve selflessly and ensure that every member has the opportunity to participate in decision-making and community development.
According to him, unity, volunteerism and inclusion are indispensable to human existence because they foster cooperation, promote social cohesion and create opportunities for everyone to contribute to the common good.
“Before one can describe a community as strong, these three pillars must be visibly seen and practised. You can’t marginalise people and call such a community strong. A community comprises people with shared interests, values and goals who support one another,” he said.
Alinyia described volunteerism as selfless service offered without the expectation of financial reward, stressing that communities have numerous needs that can only be addressed when citizens willingly contribute their time, skills and resources.
He cited volunteer initiatives such as the Buzstopboys, the Paga Youth Movement, the Catholic Youth Organisation and youth groups in Sandema as examples of organisations contributing to sanitation, education, community development, security and the fight against drug abuse.
According to him, effective volunteerism is sustained by commitment, passion, determination and a genuine spirit of service.
“Through service you lose yourself to find yourself. You learn, make mistakes, meet people and open yourself up to recommendations and opportunities through your availability,” he noted.
Touching on unity, Alinyia said disagreement was natural in every community but should never undermine the collective pursuit of development.
He stressed that unity does not mean the absence of differing opinions but rather the ability to put aside differences and work together for the common good.
The youth advocate also expressed concern over what he described as the growing culture of exclusion and marginalisation in society, particularly against women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
He lamented that women are often confined to traditional roles, while persons with disabilities are frequently excluded from decision-making despite their valuable contributions.
“It is unfortunate that society mocks people who are unable to have children and often fails to include or consult persons with disabilities, forgetting that disability is not inability. A community that sidelines its vulnerable cannot be called great,” he said.
Alinyia further identified mistrust, greed, misuse of resources and lack of appreciation as some of the major challenges confronting volunteerism.
He therefore called on young people and all well-meaning citizens to revive the culture of volunteerism, communal labour, unity and inclusion to strengthen communities and accelerate national development.
Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo | Cynthia Afaah
