The Most Powerful Weapon To Change The World Is Not Terrorism

Former President of South Africa; Nelson Mandela once said and I quote “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” and this emphatic statement is so true. We can talk of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) but as their name suggest, they destroy the world and not change or affect it positively. Everyone aspires to make an impact on his/her generation or change the society within which s/he lives and finds several means to do that but the greatest and powerful wheel, weapon and means to attain this aspiration is education.

 Some extremist individuals and organisation have resorted to terrorism to change the cause of the world thinking with their act of terrorism they will be able make impact and make their voices heard. But this is so wrong and disgraceful and ridicules the existence of man on earth.

Several individuals have achieved a lot through education and continue to affect the universe with the knowledge they have acquired through their education. Gangsterism, terrorism, suicide killings and all the negative weapons that we can think of doesn't contribute any positive thing to this world that we live in but destroy it.

 

If education isn't the most powerful weapon that can be used to change world why would the Taliban shoot Malala in the head for advocating for girl child education or education in general? They know the impact the educated can make in the world and saw the need to excommunicate her from the world so that she wont be able to affect or change the world positively. It is a shame how terrorist group do not make use of education to make their voices heard to bring positive impact into the world but rather resort to terrible means of dealing with issues. Those resorting to the use of war, Weapons of Mass Destruction, ammunitions and other deadly weapons with the aim of changing the world are losers who fail to make good use of education. 

 

There are two things that the world will remember us for: firstly the problems you helped solved and secondly the problems you helped created. Education can be used to solve diverse problems so let us make good use of it and refrain from the use of undemocratic and forceful/illegal means of pursuing our cause which only result in the creation of problems or compounding already existing ones.

 

A Ghanaian who was sold into slavery at the age of 6 and served for 10 years realised the importance of education, took hold of it and now affecting lives in Ghana and beyond through democratic means. Below is his story and how he is now affecting lives in Ghana and beyond. 

 

The CEO of United Shepherd (U.S) Group of Companies Ghana; Chief Godfred Mediciné was sold into slavery at the tender age of 6 by his mother due to poverty and served in slavery for 10 years but did not lose sight of the importance of education. It was his dream to change the world and make life easy for many without them experiencing the ordeal he went through and he saw idea as a panacea to achieve this dream. No wonder he wasn’t ashamed or perturbed to enrol in the basic school at the age of 16 where he was the oldest student. Successfully passing his BECE in flying colours, he did not have the requisite funds to fund his senior secondary school education. But with persistency and determination he resorted to farming and fishing to raise funds for this mission and was fortunate to hear about the Tsiame Secondary School (Volta Region of Ghana) admissions on radio, applied and was admitted to continue his education. He was still facing financial hardship during his secondary school education so had to skip classes on Fridays to have three days (Friday to Sunday) to engage in farming and fishing to finance his secondary school education and upkeep. He struggled to complete his education regardless of the hardship knowing that it is a powerful weapon to change the world.

Today Chief Godfred Mediciné after all his struggle he has managed to have access to the powerful weapon that can be used to change the world to affect many lives in Ghana and beyond by becoming the inspiration for the oppressed, food for the hungry, hope to the hopeless, and employment to the unemployed. He is now an entrepreneur, employer, author and motivational speaker. Though he was the oldest in basic school but now he employs some of his mates who thought he was too old to be at the basic level.

 

Some unconcerned groups see education as bad and as such fights against it causing havoc to states in Africa with Bukom Haram being key. From Chief Mediciné’s story there is no doubt that education is indeed the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Bill Gates knowing the powerfulness and effectiveness of education now support educational projects with billions of dollars and computers.

Take your education seriously to change your world and make a positive impact on the society within which you live.