Dr Maranda Asubonteng, a psychologist, has called for the inclusion of financial education into basic school curricula to imbibe in the younger generation financial management knowledge and skills. He said knowledge in good financial management has the potential to eliminate the challenge of poverty and build the capacity of the youth to generate and sell ideas. This would also place them in a better position and reduce their over-reliance on government for formal employment. Good and proper financial management skills, he said, would also enhance grant writing and proposal skills of the youth.
Dr Asubonteng, the Chief Executive Officer of the International Goal Achievement Science, (IGASP), made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of a workshop on group dynamics and accountability held in Sunyani. IGASP, is a local NGO, linked with the National Financial Education Council in the United States and works to promote the science of creating wealth through occupational means. The day’s workshop was organised by Action Aid Ghana (AAG), an international NGO and attended by about 50 members of Activista drawn from the various districts in the Brong-Ahafo Region. Activista is a global youth network established by AAG involving more than 50 partners and thousands of volunteers in more than 25 countries.
It provides opportunities for the youth to engage in the fight for social justice and poverty alleviation. Dr Asubonteng expressed regret that many businesses were collapsing because many entrepreneurs lacked basic knowledge in financial management thus it is imperative to promote financial education. He said if financial management was made an examinable subject in basic schools, it would instil discipline in the younger generation and develop their capacity to handle and use money judiciously. Madam Melody Azinim, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Programme Manager of AAG, advised the youth to take advantage of the social media and showcase their potentials.
The youth must also mobilise themselves, identify their developmental needs and use the social media as a tool to portray such challenges. Nana Afram Denkyira, a Programme Officer at the AAG, said there is the need to equip the participants with relevant knowledge, attitude and skills aimed at inspiring and empowering them to develop effective teams and work collectively. He said there is the need for the youth to remain focused, plan ahead and work towards their goals to become useful adults.
Nana Denkyira advised the youth to shun unhealthy lifestyles that could truncate their future and channel their exuberances into productive ventures.
GNA
PDC