The Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a Buddhist organization, has held a two-day West African Youth Conference to mark the 50th anniversary of the Dr Daisaku Ikeda's declaration that the "21st century is the century of Africa."
The theme for the conference was "Together with our Mentor, Ikeda Sensei let's change the history of Africa."
The conference was aimed at sharing their understanding of the vision of their mentor, Dr Daisaku Ikeda, the President of the organisation and to draw an action plan towards the fulfillment of that vision for Africa.
Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, President of the Soka Gakkai international, expressed the belief that Africa was the continent of hope in the 21st century.
He said unless Africa became a continent of happiness, global peace could not be realized and that the world needed to usher in an age when those who had been most oppressed would emerge as the protagonists in transforming their societies.
President Ikeda urged the members to remain firm, wise, patient and to purposefully win over their adversities.
He exhorted the participants: "The tougher the situation becomes the more we should hold fast to our faith and continue to strive to be men and women of character who win trust from those around you through integrity."
Mr. Bobson Godonu, General Director of SGI-Ghana, spoke on the theme and said "changing the history of Africa" meant changing the mindset of Africans towards believing that they were unique and capable of doing things for themselves.
He assured the members that they could cause a change if they changed their hearts, mindset and attitudes.
Mr Justice Alex Kobina Ampiah, a retired Supreme Court judge, who was the guest of honour, expressed his optimism that despite the chaos in Africa countries, he believed that the continent would see peace eventually if the youth embraced the principle of human revolution.
He urged the youth to leave behind footprints that would endure forever.
The youth divisions of the organisation were drawn from Eight West African Countries namely Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Gambia and Cote D'Ivoire.