Wenchi (B/A), June 1 GNA - Members of Assemblies of God Church in Wenchi and Tain Districts of Brong Ahafo are to embark on a vigorous campaign to stop the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the area.

The programme would form part of evangelical drive to address moral decadence among the youth and to ensure that the people improved upon outmoded cultural practices that impacted negatively on their lifestyles to enhance the development of their communities.

The Reverend John Kwadwo Mensah, Pastor in charge of churches in the two Districts, announced this at his induction service at Wenchi. He expressed concern about the continued practice of FGM among some of the communities and said the campaign would aim at persuading the people to appreciate the danger it posed to the victims.

Reverend Mensah expressed regret about the high rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence in the two districts and said members of the church would form volunteer groups to educate the people in their homes on the causes, effects and how to control the spread of the pandemic. He advised the youth that as the nation's future leaders they should live above reproach so that they could grow to become responsible citizens.

He said leaders of the church would move to Banda in Wenchi District to win more souls and to establish the Church in the area.

Rev. Paul Kwame Nasimon, Senior Pastor of the Full Gospel Assemblies of God Church at Techiman, who conducted the induction service, urged the leadership of the church to lead exemplary lives for members to follow.

He urged members to unite and cooperate so that they could support the leaders to initiate development programmes for the growth of the church and improvement in their lives. The Senior Pastor advised them to eschew backbiting, gossiping, enmity and hatred, which, he said, Christianity abhorred. Rev. Nasimon cautioned the youth against their involvement in drugs and premarital and illicit sexual practices to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS.

Mr Kwadwo Kyere, Men's representative of the church, urged couples to live in harmony and to allow the teachings of the Bible to reflect in their daily lives.

He called on them to be very mindful about the movements of their children so that they would steer away from bad peer groups and social vices.

"As shining stars in the communities, you need to be disciplined and to allow the teachings of the church to reflect in your daily lives as any negative behaviour and attitudes would cast a slur on the image of the church", he said.