Kumasi, Aug 8, GNA - The Right Reverend Benjamin K. Asare, Methodist Bishop of Obuasi, has advised the youth not to allow themselves to be manipulated by politicians for the achievement of their selfish or parochial political agenda.

He said: "You should be discerning enough and refuse to go along with those who would want to incite you to cause confusion in the society."

The Rt Rev Asare was opening the 10th biennial Connectional Youth Assembly of the church at the Wesley College in Kumasi on Saturday. The four-day meeting is being attended by over 180 delegates drawn from all dioceses of the church in the country.

It is under the theme: "An Empowered Youth, A Panacea For Church Growth And Development."

Rt Rev Asare reminded them that: "As the nation gears towards democratic elections in December, some politicians would stop at nothing in their quest for power and this you must watch out and resist becoming willing tools in their hands."

He said as Christians, they should ensure responsible conduct to enable them to serve as useful assets not only of the church but also the society.

The Bishop also drew the attention to the need to be more serious in their pursuit of academic careers so that they could take up future leadership roles.

The Very Reverend Professor Sarfo Kantanka, a lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), asked the participants to see themselves as unique and strive to exploit their God-given talents to the full.

He cautioned them against lifestyles that could ruin them, saying, they should lead lives that would bring honour and dignity to their religious faith.

The Very Reverend William Davis, Acting Director of the Youth Ministry of the Church, noted that both the church and the government had created several opportunities for the youth to improve themselves. He mentioned scholarship schemes and vocational and skill training programmes for the unemployed and advised them to take advantage of them to better their situation.