Ho, May 25, GNA - Reverend Richard Kwame Nimo, Youth Programme Officer of the Evangelical Presbyterian (E.P) Church, on Wednesday called on the youth in Africa to raise the image of the continent by contributing to topical issues in the world. He said it was only when the youth rose to their responsibility of contributing to world issues like environmental problems, corruption, terrorism and international politics that the continent could take up its right position.

Reverend Nimo said this at a symposium organized by Community Action, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) to celebrate Africa Day in Ho.

The forum, which was on the theme: "Can Africa Arise In The 21st Century," attracted many youth groups and secondary schools in the municipality.

Reverend Nimo challenged the youth to learn to be responsible and not rely on the hard work and successes of their forebears adding that, "if not and the worse comes it is you that will suffer after we are gone".

He said globalisation had 'tattered' the African moral value and exposed the youth to challenges that inhibit their social responsibility.

Reverend Nimo called on the youth to be determined, knowing where they were coming from and their task of making Africa proud and not to be liabilities.

He expressed the hope that in time the youth in Africa would salvage the continent to the state of a prosperous one. Mrs. Joanna Opare, National Programme Manager, UN System Gender Programme, who spoke on, "African Women: Key Roles in the New Century", said the pursuit of equitable participation in power and decision making for women as well as men was critical to achieving sustainable development.

She said this was because women's social, economic and political status was essential for achieving transparent, accountable and good governance without which peace and development could not be realised. Mrs. Opare said current approaches to gender equality in education and sustainable development from a cultural perspective was important for a balanced development in the continent.

She underscored the relevance of introducing extensive training programmes on gender and cultural awareness to enhance and accelerate a total development.

Madam Victoria Nazah Gidigloh, Director of Programmes for the NGO said the programme was to give the youth insights of the African Union and to empower them to take up their responsibilities since they were the bedrock of the continent's development.