Takoradi, Nov. 27 GNA - Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, on Friday called on Moslem leaders to instil in the Ghanaian youth virtues that will build their personality needed to make a nation great. Such virtues, he said, should include godliness, hard work, perseverance, discipline and honesty.

Mr Aidoo made the call in an address read for him at the celebration of this year's Eid-ul-Adha at Takoradi on Friday. He said it was unfortunate that the youth now go any length to acquire wealth adding "Sakawa and occultism practised by the youth these days attest to that"

He said another disturbing phenomenon is using the youth to cause mayhem during elections, installation of chiefs, land litigations and football matches. Mr Aidoo said it was the duty of Imams, Moslem Chiefs and other religious leaders to educate children to refrain from such negative activities.

"At no point should any group of young people be used to satisfy the whims of unscrupulous politicians and neither should the youth allow themselves to be used as commandos, land guards, fanatic football supporters just to cause confusion," he said. Mr Aidoo said the law must always be allowed to take its course and asked Moslems to use the celebration to live peacefully with adherents of other religions bodies.

He also told them to pray for peace in the country especially in Bawku, Gushiegu and Yendi. Mr Aidoo said "Let us also pray for peace for Ivory Coast, Guinea and other conflict prone zones in the sub-region and the world at large for the merciful Allah to touch the hearts of the warlords to persuade their followers to lay down their arms". Imam Awal Shuaib of the Takoradi Central Mosque called for transparent and credible national census in 2010.