Sunyani, Jan 21, GNA - Nana Saabeng Ababio II, Akwamuhene of the Sunyani Traditional Area, on Saturday expressed concern about the upsurge in occult practices in second cycle institutions. He advised students to desist from the practice since it was "demonic and has the tendency to jeopardise your lives and career". "There is more to the world than what you see physically. There are forces of darkness and principalities that operate evil against man. You must never allow someone to deceive you to have covenant with them," he told students.

Nana Ababio was speaking at the 8th Annual General Meeting of the Brong-Ahafo Regional Students Representative Council (SRC) at the Sunyani Secondary School under the theme, "Eradicating Indiscipline to Augment Academic Standards".

Student leaders from 24 second-cycle institutions out of 50 invited for the programme attended.

He noted that many of the acts of indiscipline in institutions were due to the negligence of parents and teachers who, he said, had failed in their moral obligations to inculcate traditional norms and values in children to reject Western culture detrimental far the development of the country.

The Most Reverend Kwasi Gyamfi, Catholic Bishop of Sunyani, urged parents to provide children with proper guidance and freedom while at the same time correcting them when they went against the teachings and dictates of their faith.

In an address read on his behalf, he appealed to teachers to ensure that their students developed their potentials. Master Felix Kwadwo Baah, President of the Brong-Ahafo Regional Students Representative Council, said the Council had sponsored 16 needy but brilliant students.

He identified the non-payment of dues regularly by members and the negative perception of some heads of institution as the major obstacles facing the Council. The President of the Regional SRC appealed to heads of institutions to collaborate to raise the standards of education in the region. Mr. Richard Okyenku Oppong Kumi, Coordinator of the Council, said the region lacked English Language teachers that had affected the performance of students in the subject. He said the Council had taken up the burden of paying for the registration fees of five needy but brilliant final year students every year.

Lt. Penti Levinson, Sunyani Garrison Education Officer, appealed to the students to concentrate on their studies and use their time profitably to reap the huge investment being made in their education.