Mr Bernard Koku Avle, award-winning journalist, has urged Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to balance their academic pursuits with activism, warning against allowing education to diminish their passion for social change.
He argued that many passionate individuals gradually lose their drive for societal change as they advance in academia —especially after gaining international educational experience —making sustained activism increasingly challenging.
Speaking at the Annual Akoto-Ampaw Active Citizenship Dialogue in Accra, Mr. Avle highlighted the challenges scholars and intellectuals faced when trying to balance academia with activism.
“The more you go higher in academia, especially outside Ghana, it is very difficult to be engaged in activism,” he said.
The annual dialogue, organised by STAR-Ghana Foundation, was on the theme: “Intergenerational Dialogue on Active Citizenship in Ghana: Lessons and Opportunities for the Future. ”
The Akoto-Ampaw Active Citizenship Dialogue, initiated in memory of the renowned human rights lawyer and activist Akoto-Ampaw, continues to serve as an important platform for fostering discussions on governance, democracy, and civic engagement in Ghana.
This year’s dialogue, the first major event of STAR-Ghana Foundation this year, among others, called for the urgent need for Ghana’s youth to embrace active citizenship, ensuring that the fight for transparency, accountability, and good governance is not left solely to older generations.
It also served as a platform for thought leaders, Civil Society Organizations, scholars, and young activists to reflect on Ghana’s civic engagement landscape and explore ways to strengthen active citizenship across generations.
On striking the right balance between activism and academic excellence, Mr Avle, also the General Manager of Citi FM and Citi TV, expressed concern over the growing trend where young intellectuals became detached from national issues and activism they were once passionate about after moving abroad for higher education.
He pointed out that the disconnect created a vacuum in Ghana’s advocacy space, leaving key national conversations without the critical voices needed to push for reform and accountability.
He encouraged students and young professionals to find a way to merge their academic growth with their desire for social change, stating that true development was achieved when intellectualism was channeled towards national progress.
Mr. Avle, who stressed the role of intergenerational dialogue in strengthening Citizenship, noted that a robust civic society could only thrive when experiences and knowledge were shared across age groups.
He acknowledged the contributions of seasoned activists like the late Akoto-Ampaw, who remained committed to Ghana’s democratic development, and challenged the youth to take up the mantle of leadership in civic engagement.
Mr Avle pointed out the various obstacles that limited active citizenship including economic hardships, political polarization, and fear of victimization.
He noted that many young people refrained from openly speaking out on critical issues due to potential backlash from powerful individuals or institutions.
However, he emphasized that social media had become a powerful tool for activism, allowing young people to voice concerns, mobilize support, and hold leaders accountable.
“If you look at how movements have been built in the last decade, social media has played a crucial role in shaping narratives and influencing policies,” he said.
The 2017 GJA Journalist of the Year urged activists to be strategic in their approach, leveraging digital platforms effectively to ensure their voices were heard.
He further called on young professionals, students, and civic-minded individuals to remain steadfast in their pursuit of change, by staying informed, building networks, and collaborating with like-minded individuals to amplify their impact.
Mr Ibrahim Tanko Amidu, Executive Director of STAR-Ghana Foundation, said the dialogue was important in fostering active citizenship.
He noted that STAR-Ghana had been instrumental in convening discussions at local and national levels, bridging the gap between civil society and policymakers to drive meaningful change.
He said by supporting initiatives that emerged from these discussions, the Foundation ensured that advocacy efforts translated into tangible outcomes.
Mr. Amidu reiterated that effective dialogue must be accompanied by strong partnerships and a commitment to shared goals.
He urged the participants to be innovative, build on past lessons, and integrate creativity into their advocacy efforts.
The Executive Director encouraged young people to actively participate in civic discussions and contribute to shaping policies that impacted their future.
Mr. Amidu announced that STAR-Ghana Foundation would be convening the Ghana Civil Society Forum in June, a national platform for civil society organizations to engage in policy discussions.
GNA