The cadet corps on a march
The National Cadet Corps Ghana (NCCG) displayed a high sense of dexterity during the celebration of its 70th anniversary.
At a parade held at the Black Star (Independence) Square in Accra, members of various cadet groups drawn from schools across all the country marched like any of the regular security agencies with tunes from the mass band to the delight and intermittent applause from all who had gathered including Vice President Dr. Madamudu Bawumia who graced the occasion.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Empowering Ghana’s Youth for Peace and Stability Towards Development’, Dr. Bawumia who is also the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) said, “this is not the first time, and I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the youth of this country will exhibit their constitutional right diligently in electing who will lead us for the next four years peacefully. I mean peacefully before, during, and after the upcoming election on December 7.”
He also stressed the need for the various security agencies to take a critical look at unearthing brilliant talents like what he witnessed from the National Cadet Corps by giving them some quota and the opportunity when it comes to recruiting and enlisting into the various security services.
He said, “That, is very important and will help the manpower of the service”, insisting that “the discipline and knowledge they get from this training are very rich and can be tapped into.”
He described the National Cadet Corps as the biggest and most reliable youth organization in Ghana, under the leadership of Nicholas Nii Tettey-Amartefio and his team across the country.
Ghana, he therefore noted, could boast of a total of 1,276 in various institutions and a numerical strength of 76,577 memberships at the basic, secondary, and tertiary levels.
He was, therefore, not surprised the organisers of the parade could mobilise 20,000 young boys and girls who travelled from across all the regions to celebrate the day.
The Vice President also urged the various heads of missions in the country to consider using their offices to promote socio-cultural exchanges among the youth of their respective countries, especially with the cadet corps.
He, therefore, asked the coordinator of the national cadet corps to liaise with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education and bring forth a cabinet memo on the matter to be considered.
He also proposed a 10% quota for the national cadet corps.
Dr. Bawumia said it would not be a misplaced priority if, in the near future, July 1 was set aside as a national youth day for the country, since there was no day set aside as Ghana’s youth day like it was in other countries.
Director –General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Dr Eric Nkansah said the cadet coordinators must continue to work hard to promote good citizenship, peace, volunteerism and patriotism.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent