The Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Ayariga, has advised young people to exercise extreme caution when sharing private or intimate videos with romantic partners.
Mr. Ayariga said young people should not assume that content shared in confidence during a relationship would always remain private, particularly because relationships could end unexpectedly.
He warned that intimate videos shared with a partner could later be used to embarrass or damage the reputation of the person who originally shared them.
According to him, young people must consider the long-term implications of their actions, especially in an era where digital content can be easily copied, stored and redistributed.
He noted that a young person who shares a private video today could eventually occupy an influential position, making the potential exposure of such material particularly damaging.
Mr. Ayariga made the remarks while interacting with the media at the maiden National Youth Parliament Mock Sitting, a civic engagement initiative organised by the National Youth Authority in collaboration with the Parliament of Ghana.
The initiative seeks to give young people practical exposure to parliamentary proceedings and encourage them to take an active interest in governance and national affairs.
The NYA CEO also urged young people to be more responsible in their use of social media and other digital platforms.
He encouraged them to safeguard their privacy and think carefully before creating or sharing content that could have lasting consequences.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has called on young people to reject drug abuse and remain committed to their personal and educational goals.
The Minister expressed concern over the involvement of some young people, including students, in drug-related activities and warned that substance abuse could undermine their future prospects.
He urged the youth to make responsible choices and focus their energy on activities that would help them develop their talents and contribute positively to society.
Mr. Opare Addo also encouraged young people to participate in discussions on national issues, stressing that constructive debate was important to the growth of Ghana’s democracy.
However, he cautioned against using political and social debates as an avenue to provoke others or deepen divisions.
He encouraged participants in the National Youth Parliament Mock Sitting to take advantage of such programmes to sharpen their leadership, communication and civic skills.
The Minister said empowering young people to understand democratic processes and engage constructively in national discourse was essential to Ghana’s future development.
