The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has cautioned fresh graduates of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) to take responsibility for their own lives and manage their expectations as they step into the uncertain world to pursue their dreams.
Dr Dampare, who delivered the commencement speech at the First Session of the 14th Congregation of the University, said the youth must shed the sense of entitlement and strive for what he described as “continuous practical discipline and courageous perseverance” in their quest to make life better for themselves and to make the world a better place.
“In this world, things are not as easy as they seem,” he said. “Things are difficult, they are challenging, and they are very competitive in nature, making people to classify life as unfair. But remember that if you stay focused and you do the right thing, you will be able to make life better, the world better and the world a bit fair in your own small way.”
He added: “You can only do that if you don’t go out there and put your life on autopilot mode or outsource your life for somebody else to live it for you and be complaining about everything, thinking that living your life is somebody’s responsibility.
“Apart from your fundamental human rights which are enshrined in our laws, I want to say that nobody owes you anything. So when you [get out] there, all what you have to do is to make sure that every favour that comes your way, you work towards earning it.”
The IGP, a distinguished UPSA alumnus, also advised the graduands to master the art of staying focused, living their dreams and putting the skills they have acquired to good use to the benefit of society.
He said the youth must channel their energies into building a better future for themselves and shy away from whining about the things they consider should have been done for them or should have come their way.
“The world is waiting to reward and celebrate you or to punish and condemn you depending on what you throw at it. If you choose to throw negative things at the world, the world will punish and condemn you; but if you choose to give something of value to the world, then the world will reward and appreciate you,” the IGP said.
“Go into the world to shine and bring glory to your University, to yourself and to your families. When you do that you will have less time to complain about what you think someone should have done for you that the person couldn’t do and therefore you bear grudges against the person.”
The First Session of the 14th Congregation witnessed the graduation of some 826 postgraduate students who had completed various programmes of study at the School of Graduate Studies.
