Hey, Mr. Freshman...

Hey there... My name is Hafiz Laryea and I'm already a student here. Congratulations on your admission into the university of Cape Coast. I'd like to share a little secret with you. (Oh, if you're a continuing student, you probably have had this experience). Every year when the admission list is released, I find myself at the admission portal to check the list (ask, for what? Coz it's not like I know any new applicant). I'd first input my surname in to the search box and toggle through the list to see how many freshmen bear my last name. (Usually, they're less than 4)

Surprisingly, I'd sit for close to 20 minutes just looking at their names and programmes admitted into. (Don't ask. I'm not foolish. I know there's a reason I'd stare at the names. Perhaps, I just can't tell the reason now). Before I'd leave the page, I'd make sure I've searched through the list for some of the names of my friends. Today,  as I sat to check this year's list, as usual, I sat looking at those bearing my surname for more than the usual 20 minutes. It all of a sudden occurred to me, I may have found the reason I check the list anally. (You may be right to think  I wish i was just admitted,like you). I said to myself, "look! Over 4000 applicants got in. (I know you're excited because you're one of those) and your folks will be proud of you as well.

Remember, your folks are putting you through college for a reason. (so, at least, you would be 'someone' in future. Above that, never forget, society expects that you return to make it better. This is the basic responsibility Ghana expects from you. Whatever discipline you've been admitted into, pursue it to the best of your ability. Bsc, BA, BAF, MGT Stud, Commerce, name them... We need you all. None is better. (Besides, you'll all read comm skills). Engage yourself in activities that will enrich you and project your potentials for the task ahead. I cannot promise you of a challenge less journey at UCC. They will definitely come your way, as has been the case since time immemorial. I still ask myself, over 4000 others have been admitted in to various other tertiary institutions across the country, if everyone fulfilled their responsibility towards their societies, we will be on the right track.

Three years of checking the list has taught me a lot. First, sometimes you just have to keep pushing till you arrive at a meaningful result. Also, there may be so much knowledge in what you may think is foolish.

The university if full of 'freedom' but remember, what actually excites you the most is usually what actually 'kills' you - all the parties, the big shows and all. It is said that when a person has trekked a particular path and he advises you regarding it, it will be prudent on your part to take heed because experience they say, is the best teacher. Some of us have regretted that we've wasted so much of our time on campus engaging in virtually, 'nothing'. (Continuing students, admit it! Most of us wait till last minute). Three or 4 years down the line, we say to ourselves, 'if I had led such and such a life...'

Oh, it's like I'm talking too much. (Sorry, hehe). It's very necessary. Anyways, welcome to the University of Choice. Grab the opportunities. Make the most of your time (it runs so fast. In fact, it flies. You'll never be able to catch it.) Like it is said, "the heights that great men reached and kept was not attained by sudden flight". Get out there and peruse your dreams. Invest your time into positive adventures. Join associations that will enhance your potentials. (Like, Campus Volunteer Foundation. We reach out to society through volunteerism). Always remember, Ghana needs you to get better.

I hope these few words serve as an inspiration to me first, and to you all.

 written by:Hafiz Laryea

           B.A. Arts 

           Email: (hafizlaryea@gmail.com)

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Why Our Youth Are in Daze, Lost in a Maze

The youth is inarguably the future and without them there is no hope in the sense that growing up every parent as an agent of development expects that at least one of his children will take to his footsteps or a chosen field and head towards a right direction so as to be one in whose hands the steering wheel of the family will be concentrated when the incumbent is no more. This piece seeks to examine what has made the youth in a daze, lost in a maze.

The glamour of the present age dazzles around the youth and when they look into it, they become dazed for a moment and think that is where they should be heading. So the youth get deluded by the glamorous life of others and engage themselves in it which in the long run, does them no good.

I totally agree with President John Mahama when he said in his meet – the – press session at the beginning of the year that most graduates complain of unemployment but the problem is that the universities are producing graduates who aren’t needed by the economy now. Like most people are influenced by their peers to read courses which aren’t actually their passion, so after graduation, while the job market requires a totally different group of people to hire, say engineers and agriculturists etcetera, the universities are producing otherwise.

It’s like when there is a light, for example, the little locusts and the moths, they fly straight into it, even if it is fire at times and they hurt and cause havoc to themselves as a result. It is in like manner when the youth are in a maze, they do not realize they might ultimately get hurt because of their state of bewilderment as they follow people as if they have blinkers.

Families have had their role to play in this. A child is born and an occupation is placed on him. (They tell him, you have to study to become a doctor or this and that’s it). Not everyone’s going to turn out a teacher, a doctor, an economist (name them…) so don’t follow people and think that is where you belong, you have no knowledge what their life is about. 

If your passion is to sow, or paint, farm etc. make efforts towards that because the country needs you as well. Turn your back on what people may think or say after all, the most successful people aren’t the most educated. Just polish your craft with education and see yourself and your business glow and flourish.

When you see a nation whose youth are vibrant, go getters, and up to tasks, it is a nation that has some sense of hope. A nation whose youth are always involved in “night life”, thus people who cannot wait till Friday before they ‘party hard’. Always in night clubs, taking intoxicants and engaging in clandestine behavior, then I’m sorry that nation’s youth has absolutely lost the plot.

The youth have a responsibility towards the country. Tomorrow your country needs you to be a leader and a leader cannot be focused on partying all the time. Make an effort to be proud to provide an answer when your kids question you about your contributions to the development of your country.

It the duty of our leaders (from family level to president) to look at the generation and try to help them steer their passion and interests into ventures or fields of study that will be beneficial to them and result in them directly being leaders because when they channel their passion and energies in the right direction at a young age, they will perhaps achieve much more.

The government can institute a policy to have counselors at the high school level for example, who will guide students as to how to channel their interests and ideas into living dreams. I bet you many enter the universities without having a clear knowledge about what they want to do and how it’s going to have a reflection in their lives, those around them and a country as a whole.

I would like to end off with a quote from Ismail Menk who said, “Never forget that every photograph you’ve taken is a younger version of yourself, even if you take it right now. It was what you looked like.

The only time you know what you look like now is when you look in a mirror”. Take a mirror and ask yourself, what reflection you are having. That of one with a bright future or that with a doomed future. Time is flying, make yourself count, and don’t get lost in a maze. Your country desperately needs you to complete the circle when those at the forefront are no more.

 written by:Hafiz Laryea

           B.A. Arts 

           Email: (hafizlaryea@gmail.com)

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Campus Volunteer Foundation

Campus Volunteer Foundation is a student voluntary organization which sees students contribute to society through volunteer project - teaching, social and other humanitarian activities.

We have found this as a responsibility which should be involved by all. One cannot wait till after graduation before thinking of contributing to society.

Some people are in dire need of just encouragements and motivation. For others, its education and there’s a third party who might just need skill training to get themselves fired up. We kept reading and saying that “if we can dream, then we can achieve”, but are several people out there who cannot figure out what their dream are.

It is incumbent upon us to contribute towards making others better because for society to get better, people must get better.  One of the cores of our existence is to be helpful towards each other. We have availed ourselves to any worthy cause that requires our voluntary services.

OUR MISSION

To successfully deploy students annually to various rural communities across the country to aid in teaching and other educational projects that will benefit people and the nation as a whole. This we hope to achieve with the spirit of volunteerism instilled in all and sundry.

OUR VISION

To be the leading name in student volunteer services Africa. To have representatives from all higher  educational institutions across the continent

OUR MOTTO

HUMANITY, OUR ULTIMATE CONCERN