Kumasi, March 30, GNA - The Right Reverend Nuh Ben Abubekr, Methodist Bishop of Kumasi, has told parents to be more vigilant so as to protect young girls from evil-minded persons who use money and other gifts as bait to seduce them. He said "let us ensure that our children are encouraged and assisted to appreciate that there is pride, self-dignity and respect in keeping one's virginity until marriage."

Bishop Abubekr was inaugurating the Diocesan "Virgins for Christ Club", an initiative by the church to help combat the increasing spread of the HIV/AIDS infection, particularly among the youth at the Dunwell Methodist in Kumasi. Members of the Club through Bible teachings, video films and documentaries on the disease as well as talks and counselling are constantly reminded about the need to remain chaste and stay away from pre-marital sexual adventure.

So far, more than 600 young people from different societies of the Diocese have joined the club. Bishop Abubekr said, it was totally unacceptable for people to blame the devil for mistakes they made through their own greed, indiscretion and sheer irresponsibility. He asked them not to underestimate the looming danger the nation faced as a result of their refusal to control their sexual urge.

The Methodist Bishop said, it was time all Ghanaians came together and mounted an onslaught on the deadly disease using complete abstinence as the main weapon. He pointed out that if all the people accepted to be disciplined in their sexual lives and did away with promiscuity, there was no way the country could not make a headway in eradicating the HIV-AIDS in the society. Bishop Abubekr advised members of the Club to remain firm and faithful to their pledge to keep the sanctity of the bodies for Christ so as to make a difference. "You must make virginity, a virtue that every young person would strive to maintain", he added.