A security expert, Dr. Emmanuel Sowattey, has attributed the rising wave of violence in Senior High Schools to the older generation’s failure to provide effective guidance and mentorship to the youth.
He made the remarks during an interview on Nhyria FM’s programme “Kro Yi Mu Nsɛm,” while discussing the recent spate of inter-school clashes in various Senior High Schools.
Dr. Sowattey observed that many young people are growing up without a strong moral compass or proper direction.
“The older generation’s role is to mentor and guide the youth, so if they fall short and the young ones end up in violence and crime, then they’ve got to take the blame,” he told the host, Barima Kofi Dawson.
He stressed that addressing such violence requires a collective effort, with individuals in society taking responsibility to guide young people to choose what is right willingly, without the need for constant enforcement.
“Voluntary compliance is one of the best ways to prevent such incidents. It means children or youth doing the right thing whether there’s a teacher, parent, police officer, or pastor around or not,” he said.
Dr. Sowattey further noted that disciplined youth, particularly students who avoid violence and criminal behaviour, deserve recognition and encouragement for making positive choices. According to him, celebrating such individuals can inspire others to emulate them and create a ripple effect of positive behaviour.
He also highlighted the significant role of social media in tackling security challenges, describing it as instrumental in the fight against crime.
According to him, before the advent of social media, many crimes went unreported, making it difficult for the police to obtain information and conduct investigations.
He acknowledged that violence between Senior High Schools is not a new phenomenon, recalling that similar clashes occurred in the 1980s, particularly during inter-school games and competitions.
“Violence between Senior High Schools isn’t new. Way back in the 80s, these clashes were already happening, especially during inter-school games and competitions. So, while it’s concerning, it’s not entirely unexpected.
“Now social media has revolutionised every aspect of human activity, including security,” he said.
Dr. Sowattey explained that social media now enables the public to share tips, videos and information quickly, allowing law enforcement agencies to monitor crime trends and respond more effectively.
“Nowadays, if you’re committing a crime and someone captures it on video and shares it on social media, it will definitely get to the law enforcement agencies to take action. Social media has become a powerful tool for exposing crimes, and it’s making it harder for perpetrators to hide,” he stated.
