Deputy Registrar of the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA), Prof Vida Nyagre Yakong, has cautioned young people in Northern Ghana against promoting tribal sentiments, warning that sustainable development cannot thrive without peace and social cohesion.
She urged the youth to become ambassadors of peace and distance themselves from what she described as “neo-racism” and tribal sentiments.
“Sustainable development cannot take place in the absence of peace,” Prof Yakong said.
She was delivering the keynote address at the Tamale Youth Summit held at the GNAT Hall in Tamale on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
Prof Yakong said young people had a responsibility to promote peace wherever they found themselves, particularly in a region where efforts to advance sustainable development could be undermined by social divisions.
“Be a symbol of peace wherever you find yourself,” she told the youth.
She cautioned against promoting what she called “neo-racism” in Northern Ghana, saying the region was already facing challenges in its efforts to advance sustainable development.
“Distance yourself from tribal sentiments and treat everyone with compassion,” she urged.
The HeFRA official’s warning formed part of a broader seven-point message she delivered to young people at the summit, which focused on education, resilience, integrity, service, peace, authenticity and responsible political participation.
She said young people should understand that leadership was not merely about holding positions but about serving others and contributing to their communities.
Prof Yakong also challenged the youth to use their knowledge and available technology to solve problems in Northern Ghana rather than waiting for opportunities to come from outside the region.
The summit, organised by the Dream Big Foundation, was held under the theme “Breaking Limits: Empowering Youth for Leadership, Innovation and Impact.”
Prof Yakong said breaking barriers to development would require more than individual success, stressing that the youth must also contribute to building peaceful and inclusive communities.
Her message was particularly directed at a generation she described as the next builders of Tamale, Northern Ghana and the country.
“The future of Tamale, of Northern Ghana, and of our dear nation Ghana, is in this hall. Go and build it,” she said.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
