There is a need for the youth to respect the cultural values that bind us together and shape our inherited attitudes. These values guide how we speak, eat, and show respect to one another. Rather than hiding behind social media platforms to spew words of disrespect that do not form part of our culture, young people must embrace the principles that define us as a people.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Prof. Ransford Gyampo, made these remarks during an interaction on Ahotor FM’s podcast multimedia platform, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra.
He noted that he has personally suffered social media attacks in the past, which are still ongoing. However, he considers such attacks part of the trends associated with new media. According to him, social media can be used positively to promote national development, rather than as a tool to cast insults and discredit individuals without justification.
Prof. Gyampo reiterated that he chooses to work for the development of the country, even though his reactions and submissions on political issues may not always be well received. He expressed conviction that it is time for citizens to put Ghana first, above the interests of any political party.
He emphasized that economic gains related to national development should not be tied to political power. Citizens must look beyond political colors and focus on shaping national discourse in ways that promote development for all, rather than creating negative agendas aimed at discrediting the government. According to him, such actions do not alter the direction or outcomes of policies and development programs implemented by any government in power.
Assuming his role as CEO of the Ghana Shippers Authority, he stated that his vision is to leave a legacy built on hard work and patriotism by putting Ghana first.
He further observed that the culture of sleeping on the job in some public institutions has historical roots. During the colonial era, some workers adopted passive resistance strategies to frustrate colonial authorities. Unfortunately, he believes this attitude has been inherited into sections of today’s civil service. He stressed that this mindset must change if Ghana is to move forward.
As he transitions from academia into his new government role, he has pledged to work diligently to bring meaningful change within the shipping sector and serve the interests of Ghanaians by addressing the challenges facing the Authority.
He clarified that his agenda is not political but a national call to support the vision and dream of the government in creating results and an enabling environment for development, free from partisan considerations.
As a lecturer and researcher, he takes pride in continuous learning and in imparting knowledge to students while contributing to public discourse on national issues. He believes that his strong work ethic, developed from a young age when he began teaching to earn additional income, has shaped his career and personal aspirations. He remains committed to challenging himself in all spheres of life and striving to be his best at all times.