Hon. Zubairu Kassim to Catholic Youth in Kumasi: “Guard Your Tomorrow, Reject Shortcuts That Destroy Destiny“
KUMASI The Minority Leader’s representative, Honourable Zubairu Kassim, has charged students and youth of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi Chaplaincy for Non-Catholic Institutions to embrace faith, discipline and responsibility as the foundation for national transformation.
He delivered the keynote address on Saturday at a youth gathering of the Chaplaincy held in Kumasi, under the theme “Guardians of Tomorrow: The Youth’s Sacred Duty.”
The event was graced by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi, Most Rev. Gabriel Justice Yaw Anokye, heads and representatives of Colleges of Education, clergy, and hundreds of students.
Addressing the youth to chants of “Arise, O Catholic faithful!” and “Power and Action,” Hon. Kassim said the future of Ghana rests firmly in the hands of young people, and their choices today will determine the legacy they leave behind.
“Life is not a straight road. It is a winding path filled with hills and valleys, sunshine and storms,” he told the gathering. “Your faith is your anchor. Faith in God, faith in yourself, and faith in the dreams you carry will keep you standing when the winds of life try to push you down.”
From Worn-out Shoes to Leadership
Sharing his personal journey, Hon. Kassim recounted walking miles to school in worn-out shoes and studying under a dim lamp due to unreliable electricity, while many of his peers gave up.
“I believed that education was my ladder out of hardship, and I refused to let poverty define my destiny,” he said. “That faith carried me through, and today I stand before you as proof that no circumstance is too heavy for a determined spirit.”
He cited the story of a young woman in his community who faced repeated rejections for scholarships and jobs but persevered to become a respected teacher, noting that “rejection is not the end, it is often the beginning of resilience.”
In a cautionary tale, he also warned against the lure of quick money through crime, recounting how a brilliant young man from his community lost his future after choosing illegal acts.
“Crime may glitter for a moment, but it leaves scars that last a lifetime. Do not waste your future on shortcuts that lead to destruction,” he cautioned.
Faith Without Works is Dead
Hon. Kassim reminded the youth that Catholic faith must be lived through action, referencing James 2:17.
“The Holy Catholic Church does not only prepare us for heaven; it forms us to be responsible citizens on earth,” he said. “Do not separate your faith from your choices. Let what you believe shape how you think, how you act, and who you become.”
He stressed that leadership is accountability before God before it is recognition by people, and urged the students to use their gifts for the common good.
A Call to Responsible Ambition
Describing the youth as “torchbearers of tomorrow” and “architects of the future,” the Minority Leader’s representative called for patience, discipline and wise role modelling.
“Look around you and find role models who inspire you. Choose those whose names are spoken with respect in the community, those who have built legacies of integrity, service, and honor,” he advised.
“Greatness is not achieved overnight, it is built through consistent effort, wise choices, and unwavering determination.”
In his final charge, Hon. Kassim urged the youth to reject despair and temptation, insisting that they are “worth more than gold, more than diamonds, more than fleeting pleasures.”
“Guard your tomorrow. Protect your destiny. Live with faith. Walk with discipline. Dream with courage. Build with honor,” he declared.
“If you do this, your names will echo through history as the generation that rose above challenges and fulfilled its sacred duty.”
The youth gathering ended with prayers for the nation and renewed commitment by students to uphold moral discipline and academic excellence.
Reporting by Dominic Duut
