RICHNESS the WRITER

By Richard Agodzo Today marks another International Youth Day—a day dedicated to recognizing the power, potential, and vital contributions of young people across the globe. But as we celebrate, it's important to reflect on what true youth participation means, particularly within the digital space in Ghana. While there is no shortage of discussions about youth involvement, the reality often falls short, especially in decision-making and implementation processes. As a young person working in the Digital Health and Rights Project, I see firsthand how the digital space is evolving in Ghana. However, despite these advancements, meaningful youth participation remains a challenge. The term “meaningful” here isn’t just about being present or having a seat at the table; it’s about being heard, having influence, and seeing our contributions translated into action. Sadly, many initiatives claim to involve young people, but the involvement is often superficial, limited to token consultations r...

By Richard Agodzo In recent years, Ghana has witnessed a resurgence of cursing as a method of seeking justice, a troubling trend that spans both urban and rural communities. Traditionally, cursing in Ghanaian culture was a sacred act, reserved for extreme cases where conventional methods of resolving disputes had failed. However, today, the practice has taken on a more casual and widespread form, with people, both young and old, invoking deadly curses for grievances that range from minor disagreements to serious offenses. This alarming trend raises important questions about the erosion of traditional norms and the growing impatience for formal justice. Recent Stories: Curses and Their Deadly Consequences Recent news stories have highlighted the devastating impact of this practice. In the Central Region, a young man reportedly died mysteriously after an elderly woman cursed him over a land dispute. According to local reports, the woman, feeling powerless against the youth, invoked the w...