Kofi Akpalo Warns Ghanaian Youth Against 'Sakawa'

The Founder and Presidential Candidate for Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Mr Percival Kofi Akpaloo, has expressed grave worry over the increasing rates of armed robberies, pretty thieves, cyber frauds otherwise known as 'sakawa' being perpetrated by some unscrupulous Ghanaians, particularly the youth in the country.

Against this background, Mr Akpaloo minced no words when he warned Ghanaians, particularly the youth against the practice of cyber frauds which he stressed were the worst forms of criminal activities.

He stated that the desire by some Ghanaians, especially the youth, to get rich quickly, is compelling them to engage in social vices such as occultism and cyber fraud which he stressed the need for those in that practices should immediately put stop them.

Speaking in an interview on 'Gye Nyame FM' monitored by Soireenews, Mr Akpaloo stressed that Ghanaian youth should stay away from criminal acts of acquiring money from others. 

According to him, although economic hardship is one of the leading reasons for most robbery and theft cases in the country criminals and fraudsters are treated with respect in the country which has also pave way for the youth to use ways and means to generate worth. 

"Billionaires are specially treated in the society due to their worth of which people are not concerned about how they were acquired hence leading to increase In fraudulent activities and robbery cases in the country," he said.

According to him, some Christians were losing focus of their spiritual needs, and in their quest to attain riches and status in society, are sacrificing “their youth, health, family life and spiritual values in pursuit of these things.

“Consequently, vices such as sakawa, occultism, and cyber fraud, among others, are creeping into our social fibre, and are gaining roots,” adding, “These negative practices have caught on extremely well with our youth, who are the most vulnerable, in terms of morals.”

He appealed to Christians to make it their duty to train the youth in the ways of the Lord, to help inculcate the fear of God in them.

He stressed that this was because the moral antenna of most of the people in the country, especially the youth, are corrupt as such they have no shame and will do anything for money.

He also appealed to the clergy, traditional authorities, opinion leaders and the media to wage a relentless campaign against expensive funerals in the country, as the practice impacts negatively on our social lives.

He further stressed that authorities must ensure that, the worth and resources of individuals in the country are investigated to know how it was acquired.

Mr Akpaloo advised the Ghanaian youths to be actively involved in skills training and formal education to help them stay away from petty thefts and robbery in Ghana which sometimes lead to the death of the perpetrators.

He admonished that formal education or vocational training is one of the situations that will eradicate hardship on the part of the youth in the country.

He stated that the youth who will be highly involved in the skilled training might have the ability to create their own businesses.

 Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu Greater Accra Regional Correspondent