AFRICA SCOUT CONFAB OPENS (NOV 12, SPREAD)

THE Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has cautioned parents against allowing parental control to take the back seat when it comes to the influence of the Internet in moulding the character of children.
He explained that technological inventions meant to improve lives had become tools and playgrounds for the youth to learn unacceptable behaviours such as crimes, including theft and pornography.
Osagyefo Ofori Panin, who opened the 14th Africa Scout Conference in Accra yesterday, said parents and teachers were required to build the character of children both at home and in the classroom.
He stressed that parents should, however, have the primary responsibility of instilling in the children work ethics.
Osagyefo noted that the scouts’ service to communities was a noble venture that could prepare the youth to reach for higher ideals in life, which could be of immense benefit to themselves, family, community and the nation in general.
He said it was heartening to know that the founder of the Scouts Movement, Robert Baiden Powell, got the inspiration from Ghana when he led a military expedition in 1895, which resulted in the creation of the Gold Coast as a unified British colony.
He said it was, therefore, not surprising that the 14th Scout Conference was taking place in the country, which was the first jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom to receive a charter from the Imperial Headquarters of the Scout Movement.
Osagyefo paid tribute to the late Mr Samuel Wood of Cape Coast for his pioneering role in Scout Movement in the country.
He said in the era of globalisation, human beings could boast marvellous achievements.
However, some barbarous activities still existed where some leaders with their convoluted values taught that it was more profitable to promote death than life.
He said unfortunately the youth of today were wondering what the future held for them in the face of increasing human and physical tragedies across the world.
The Okyenhene called on world leaders to condemn these acts of human rights abuses and atrocities and arrest those tyrants involved, who hide behind sovereignty to commit those crimes against innocent women and children, in order to make the world a safe place for growth and nurture of children to become responsible citizens as the Scout Movement envisaged.
Mrs Jemina Nartey, a member of the 8-member Africa Scout Committee, said 178 scouts from 37 African countries were attending the 14th Scout Conference, which will draw up policies and strategies to be used for the next three years.