One-Day Workshop in Ghana<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

On 3 April 2004, the Ghana Humanist Youth Society conducted a one-day workshop under the auspices of IHEYO. The meeting, held at the University of Ghana, Legon, attracted about 50 participants, and was the first of its kind to be held in Ghana. Entitled ‘Humanist Vision of a Developed Africa’, it was intended to provide an opportunity for young Humanists from Africa to meet their counterparts from other parts of the world and exchange ideas on Humanism and its significance to Africa.

 

The meeting was addressed by guest speakers drawn from different sectors of Ghanaian Society who have distinguished themselves in advocacy and voluntary activity. The welcome address was delivered by the President of the Ghana Humanist Society, Mr Bossman Boakye. Miss Berlinda Sarpong, a student of the University of Ghana, then introduced the chairman, Mr Bright Esifie Kumi. The workshop was chaired by Mr Bright Esifie Kumi and Mr Bossman Boakye, President of the Ghana Humanist Youth Society (GHYS), gave the opening address. He stressed the importance of Humanism to the people of Africa, and described the work of IHEYO, saying that the organization has brought a sense of identity to young Humanists. He called on the participants to join forces to make IHEYO’s vision of a developed Africa a reality. This first workshop would be followed by others.

 

Mr Rashid Zuberu, Focal Point Coordinator for the United African Network of Young Peace-builders in Ghana, spoke of the benefits volunteerism brings to individuals and society. He highlighted the jobs and revenue generated by volunteerism in North America, and described the various activities in which volunteers engage, including democratization, immunization, promotion of human rights, and environmental action. Volunteerism, he said, can be a remedy for massive borrowing by developing countries. And development involved overcoming barriers and widening access to the resources of the community, such as education and justice, to all its members. There is no development if it is not from all and for all.

 

Mr Yemi Johnson, Secretary General of IHEYO, spoke on behalf of Gea Meijers, IHEYO President, expressing IHEYO’s appreciation for the enthusiasm of the organizers and participants of the workshop, and touching on the nature of Humanism and the role of IHEYO. Humanism provides the core set of values from which each individual can develop their view of life. IHEYO provides a network allowing the collaboration of young Humanists from Africa, Europe, the USA, Asia, and South America. Workshops of this nature are aimed at stimulating Humanist work in Africa.

 

Yemi’s presentation was followed by discussion of how the Humanist vision of the various manifestoes and declarations relate to African development, and how such a vision could be achieved in the context of Africa. It was generally agreed that each individual should decide to volunteer part of his or her time to achieving real change.

 

The resolutions of the Workshop were as follows:

 

•  There must be separation of religion and state, so that individuals can develop their full potential without hindrances in Africa.

 

•  Intolerance of any kind must be shunned. Ethnic violence, such as that which resulted in genocide in Rwanda, and political violence must be rejected by all Africans.

 

•  Democracy must be protected by all positive means, without resorting to war.

 

•  The rampant youth unemployment in Africa must be tackled headlong with visionary youth development and empowerment policies.

 

•  African leaders should encourage access to information and communications technology, to bridge the widening technological divide between African youth and their counterparts in other parts of the world.

 

•  The participants declare their full support for the UN Millennium Development Goals, and New Partnership for Africa’s Development, as viable targets to make Africa great again.

 

•  Volunteerism will be a vital force in the regeneration of Africa.

 

Following the chairman’s closing remarks, in which he expressed his personal commitment to volunteering more of his time and energy in pushing forward the Humanist manifesto, Miss Eunice Lawer of the International Youth and Students Foundation (ISEF) thanked the participants and organizers for making the workshop a success, and the event closed with a peace song.

 

Kwame Anane Frempong

Interim Secretary General, Ghana Humanist Society