REPORT ON PUBLIC LECTURE 2018 HELD AT UEW ON 17TH …
Transcript of REPORT ON PUBLIC LECTURE 2018 HELD AT UEW ON 17TH …
REPORT ON PUBLIC LECTURE 2018 HELD AT UEW ON 17TH MARCH 2018.
CENTER FOR BETTER SOCIETY ADVOCACY AND RESEARCH (CEBSAR-Africa)
THEME: BUILDING BETTER SOCIETY IN GHANA: NEED FOR PARADIGM
SHIFTS.
CEBSAR-Africa from Ghana met in Winneba on 17th March 2018 at the University of Education
(UEW) J.N. Aryeetey Auditorium, South Campus for their 1st public lecture. By 10:30 am 17th
March, we had all arrived. The program had begun at exactly 10:36 am with a welcome address
and introduction by the MC Jennifer Afrienya, a student from the University of Education,
Winneba.
Executives of CEBSAR–AFRICA. From the right is Mr. Albert Kobina Mensah, CEO CEBSAR
–AFRICA, Mr. Bismark Kobina Yankson Programs Manager, Mr. Peter Bismark Kwofie, CEO
ILAPI – Ghana and Mr. Eric Owusu Vice President CEBSAR – AFRICA.
MC, Jennifer Afrienya, a student from the University of Education Winneba inviting someone to
begin the program with a prayer. The program began at 10:36 am with an opening prayer by
Agnes Quansah.
Mr. Eric Owusu Vice President, CEBSAR–AFRICA, giving an introduction and a speech on
corruption in Africa, our role as youth. Excerpts from the speech is given as:
“The importance of education to the socio – economics development of any nation cannot be
underestimated and it is against this backdrop that CEBSAR and ILAPI-Africa chose this
university as the venue for its first ever public lecture. We believe strongly that, for our message
to get the necessary impact on this nation and by extension, Africa, then there would be the need
to have a proper incubator for it and there cannot be a better incubator for our message than
University of Education. We are very much delighted to tie our apron string to those who have
been trained or are being trained to shape the conscience of society for the better. Derek Bok
couldn’t have said it better, if you think education is expensive try, ignorance. It has become so
highly important especially in these times when citizens of this continent are being made to
believe that mysterious snakes and monkeys have started swallowing and chewing their monies.
So CEBSAR and ILAPI are eternally grateful to you all for coming to listening to us on how we
can all begin this journey of building a better society that is fair and just for ourselves and for the
future generations. CEBSAR hate corruption. We can exclude our relationship but we will face
the dangers in future. What is behind our religion is our immorality.
What is the fate of the Africa youths today?
The youths of Africa are on a top of a slope, they see hope
As they get closer they are met with a Taser
All seem gloomy in the midst of plenty
A land full of gold but no goal
A land full of light but no vision
The youth wallop in poverty whilst their leaders ride in Bugatti
They see no library all they see is bribery
Hmmm whilst they are done with pity, their “leaders” see a fortunate stroke of serendipity
Was there no revelation for our civilization?
Are they “leaders” or slayers?
The hearts of our youths bleeds for the lack of dreams
They are always in tears just to express their fears for the unknown
Why has Africa allowed its youths to run away from their own shadows?
Why are our brave youths being turned into slaves?
As they become pale they are buried in grave and we watch and wave.
Do we need a license to have a conscience?
Do we need to be told to be bold to know what the future hold?
Ooh my love for Africa has gone cold.
This poem sums up the tragedy that confronts us as youths and as Africans.
But do we just have to be sad and mad of our predicament or become loud for silent crowd? This
is where we at CEBSAR – AFRICA community choose to be loud but our loudness cannot get
the necessary decibel for the ear of our leaders without your voices and this is what brought us
here this morning. To achieve a better society that we yearn for, we need a strong constituent of
fearless souls not timorous ones to drive the change agenda. That is why we must get the
message right here and that message is CEBSAR –AFRICA hates corruption and we shall
continue to do everything within our power to fight it”, Mr. Eric Owusu said. Mr. Eric Owusu
also made mention of unemployment being the first result of corruption. We must not keep
deluding ourselves that slogan will get the job done instead of strict adherence to the proper rules
and regulations.
Mr. Peter Bismark Kwofie CEO – ILAPI-GHANA at the public lecture speaking about “what
you must know?”
Speaking about corruption Mr. Kwofie made mentioned of the fact that we the citizens are those
who employ the Government. The Government is a hungry man. It is not possible for an
employee to pay an employer or find jobs for the employers. As an employer, you need to
question your employees when they are not performing. Also, journalists were the worse 4th arm
of Government. They negotiate for people but not for themselves. He spoke briefly and charged
everyone to question the status quo.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS- “Grassroot initiative to fighting corruption and the how”
Panel discussion on-going at the public lecture. From the immediate left is Mr. Peter Bismark
Kwofie, CEO ILAPI–GHANA, Selassie, student representative from UEW, Mr. Eric Owusu
Vice President –CEBSARAFRICA and a professor.
During the panel discussions, the speakers made mention of inequality pushing corruption. There
is no self confidence in students. For instance, the fear of being transferred as teachers made
them timid. “In the early days, teachers were more passionate in their work but now is the other
way round”, one of the discussants opined. They added that corruption is not all about money,
but being at a place where you don’t fit in. Let respect the law but not the people. We must be
loyal to principles and not individuals and collaboration was the key.
Mr. Peter Bismark Kwofie asked what changes students will like to bring on campus. Mr.
Selassie said that inequality pushes students into corruption and that people feel that they are
more important than others. “Looking at the SRC dues being paid, students do not know what
they are used for. We should check our finance especially with SRC as students”, Selassie
opined.
Mr. Peter Bismark Kwofie asked Mr. Eric Owusu whether students are into corruption. He
answered by saying we think that when somebody is quiet that means the person is respectful.
We must do away with that attitude. There is no confident in students.
“Are the teachers transparent to students? The fear of been transferred had made teachers timid.
We must learn to sacrifice. As there been change in olden days and now?” Mr. Eric Owusu
The other panel said, in the olden days the teachers had passion for the work. But now it is not
so, it’s all about money. “People think that the work is not for them but the government. They
had forgotten that we are the government. The various leaders must give the students clear
account. Passion for the work is important. In our culture a child has no right against elderly
ones. We should understand that culture is dynamic”, a panel member said.
THE BETTER SOCIETY AGENDA: THE ROADMAP
The guest speaker, Mr. Albert Kobina Mensah CEO-CEBSARAFRICA speaking on “the better
society agenda: the roadmap”. He gave the following outline in his presentation:
Presentation outline
• Ghana and better society agenda
• Corruption in Ghana
• Causes of corruption
• Effects of corruption in Ghana
• Need for paradigm shifts to creating better society
The objective of the program was to
• Educate the students on building a better society agenda in Ghana.
• Equip students on the causes and effects of corruption in Ghana.
• Help students to know the need for paradigm shifts.
• Educate the students on how to fight corruption.
The guest speaker Mr. Albert K. Mensah made mentioned of building better society agenda in
Ghana: Need for paradigm shifts. He gave the following example from Amital Etzioni, The good
society, page 83-96:
“…in 1990s workers’ salaries increased by 32% while the chief executive officer salaries
increased by 535%. Such high and rising levels of inequality threaten to split society into two
separate camps; one is bit better off, but falls ever further behind other is affluent and gaining. A
good society would not only secure a “generous minimum” for all its members, but would also
labour to cap inequality by slowing down increases in the slices of the total resources gained by
the higher strata”.
He said a good society becomes better when one gets what is due him/her. Also, a good society
is achieved when we block corruption. The causes of corruption according to him are
competition, selfishness, greediness, irresponsible followership, bad leadership, ethnicity and
tribalism. We should not preach virtue and practice vice. The effects of corruption are people
dying because of no respect for human beings, energy crisis, 60 % of water bodies polluted, no
respect for children, road accidents and cities are in filth. He therefore emphasized that there is
need for paradigm shift (CEBSAR approach). Mr. Mensah further reiterated that the paradigm
shifts will include the role of the media, curriculum restricting, new crop of leaders, right and
responsible followers, the police, ensuring full accountability and questioning our leaders.
CLOSING REMARKS
Mr. Bismark Yankson gave the closing remarks. In his remarks, he made mention of the
CEBSAR setting up the club in various schools and the University of Education Winneba is the
pioneer of the CEBSAR club. The program was climaxed with feedbacks and closing remarks
from the various speakers and participants. Snacks were severed from 1:20 pm – 1:30 pm and the
program ended at 1:34pm with individuals leaving for their various hotels. Students who
patronized the conference found it very useful and gave it a very high rating in their discussions.
CEBSAR and ILAPI Ghana aim to extend the program in various schools and University of
Winneba was the pioneers. The conference ended with a quote from Colossians 3:23, “Whatever
you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men”.
Mr. Bismark Yankson giving the closing remarks
Participants at the 1st Public Lecture at The University of Education Winneba. 17th March 2018
at J. N. Aryeetey Auditorium, South Campus.
Passionate students giving their detailed information at the close of the public lecture
BUDGET FOR THE PUBLIC LECTURE 2018
QUANTITY DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE
(GH)
AMOUNT
(GH)
FUND RECEIVED
TOTAL RECIEVED
Ebo Yankson
Haruna
Eric
Sammy
Peter
Odek
200.00
100
200
50
50
105
200.00
100
200
50
50
105
Grand Total 705.00
EXPENSES
RECEIPTS
Bottle water 7 pack 9.00 63.00
Pastries 80 pieces 105.00
Fruit Juice 6 pack 12 .00 72.00
Logistics (PA
System)
40
Appreciation
(drinks & water
freezing)
20.00
Breakfast for
one person
10 10
Media 20 20
Miscellaneous 40 40
Total 370.00
TRANSPORTATION TNT from Tema 3 100 100
TNT 25 25
Total 125.00
Grand Total 495.00
SURPLUS 210.00