The Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has challenged the youth to capitalize on the newly launched 'Amplified' to help transform their lives and businesses in the country.
According to him, Amplified which is a social marketing initiative will help in making life comfortable for them.
Speaking at the launch of Amplified in Accra, the sector Minister said "In the last 3 and half years, we invested heavily in growing the digital channels (social media channels) that are aimed at supporting Government’s communication and today, we have over a million Ghanaians who subscriber to the ministry’s social media portals. Amplified is a social marketing channel that will do basically three things”
Stressing on the selected courses the Ministry will primarily use its media audience for, he stated “One is the work of young entrepreneurs who are doing wonderfully well in different parts of the country who could just do with a bit of amplification of what they are doing and reach more audiences”
He added that Amplified will focus on amplifying and mentoring youth development activities going on in various quarters but maybe reaching smaller audiences adding that he believes with the power of the Ministry’s social media following if once they amplify the youth, they can reach more audiences even more than the 200 or 100 they are reaching in a particular school or area.
“Three is amplified social. The number of very critical social issues going on in various parts of the country being done by various CSOs or Organisations and we believe that if we amplify them, they will attract more attention and give more partnership to have a life of their own. What we have at the Ministry of Information is the power to amplify what is going on and so this social marketing project simply aims at using the social media following to amplify these three blocks of activities” he said.
“We are also excited that beyond what we are doing, we have got project partners, scores of young Ghanaians on social media who we describe as influencers some who have larger audiences and followings even than we do and they have undertaken that when we amplify, they will further amplify on their platforms so that when we help you reach a million, they can help you reach 5 million” he averred.
On his part, the Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum said “I like what the Ministry of Information is doing. They are not just disseminating information but they are also using other ways to make young men and women succeed in this country and that has to be commended”
“I will not be standing in front of you today if I didn’t dare to do something different. I was a teacher in the US and teaching in the classroom and as someone who grew up in the village, teaching in America was a big deal. I can come back to Ghana and my village will be proud of me. So if white people could do big things, I too can do so therefore, I should not be complacent”
He stressed that those in politics, care about the youth adding that without caring, it cannot determine their mark of success.
“What is the work of an MP if the youths are not succeeding in his constituency? This government has the youth at heart as Ministers, Members of Parliament and we want to see the transformation of this country through the development of the human capital of the youth”
Taking his turn, the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Nelson Owusu-Ansah said “If we all support this initiative, and then provide the necessary logistics that may be needed in the course, it will be the game-changer for the young people who are aspiring to go higher”
“If you are a graduate, and you are waiting for a government office employment, and you are preparing your CV, you must be taking a cue from Nicholas”
He encouraged the youth to dream big and work towards it.
“With the amplified program, you don’t need to worry about location and geography. What it means is that if you are thinking about start-up capital, one major component of start-up capital is how do I rent. With Amplified, you can be in your room, in your village, and in that little corner, and you can still project yourself globally” he added.
Deputy Minister for Information-designate, Fatima Abubakar commended the Ministry for the great initiative and pledged her support to the betterment of the Amplified program.
“There are so many platforms and NGOs, CSOs and even State Agencies that are willing to come to the aid of the vulnerable people because they have the knowledge and they also have space and the resources to help them out of their challenges. But when we talk about vulnerable people in the society, they are the very people who do not have the platform nor the resources or the voice to speak for themselves so it is important that we give spotlight or share our spotlight with some of these people”
Celebrated Blogger, Eugene Nkansah lauded the Ministry for the great initiative adding that he and his other colleagues will play their part in the progress of Amplified.
In an exclusive interview with Thinknewsonline, blogger Zionfelix charged the youth to ride on the new initiative and make themselves known to the world.
“I was very happy when I was called. We had series of meetings in which the Minister briefed us on why he wanted us on board. We must know that social media has become a part of us but the most important thing is how to use it and make an impact. I didn’t become Zionfelix overnight, it took the help of some people to make me who I am” he revealed.
The celebrated blogger also mentioned that he sometimes feels disappointed when he sees few reactions on very important posts and updates on his site from his followers adding that the masses rather enjoy controversies than initiatives.
He advised the public to subscribe to Amplified adding that it could be their breakthrough.
A beneficiary of Amplified, Bernice Korkor Wayo said “I am so happy to be part of the Amplified team and I am so confident that it is going to help we the undergrounds to showcase to the world what we can do.
Speaking on the challenges of massage therapy, she revealed that the job is very difficult adding that a job wrongly done causes her a customer.
She hinted that with her enrolment on Amplified, she is confident that her massage parlor will be the most patronized and most trusted in the country and the world.
“I will urge young girls and young boys to learn a trade or learn something for themselves. They should not be all over the media posting unnecessary pictures or images that are not necessary. As a young girl, you will grow to a stage where you will look back and say, this is what I did when I was a young boy or girl. You must do something beneficial, something that will help your life in future of which you will not regret being a youth.” She added.
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Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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