Accra, Oct. 9, GNA - Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, Minister for Manpower, Youth and Employment, on Sunday noted that the launch of the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) was not on political lines, but rather meant to support the youth, literate or illiterate.

He said the programme's basic objective was to change the standard of living for the youth to ensure that they were gainfully employed.

Mr Boniface was speaking at a joint launch of a programme dubbed: "Teens Forum and the inauguration of an advisory board for Youth for Christ (YUFRIST) a non-governmental organization committed to improving the lives of the youth.

The programme was on the theme: "50 Years of Political Independence, Morally upright, dedicated and informed youth 96 Ghana's golden asset."

The Minister expressed the commitment of the government through his Ministry to implement prudent policies that would promote morally upright and informed youth.

He said: "My Ministry has realized that access to capital is one major problem facing the youth. It is therefore heart warming that government has introduced the Venture Capital Fund to help address the issue."

Mr Boniface urged adults, especially parents to guide the youth to be conscious about morality, uprightness and dedication to service to enable them to unearth their untapped potentials and skills.

On the HIV/AIDS menace, Mr Boniface encouraged young girls to avoid early marriages and rather stay in school to enable them to become role models.

"With the right tools of decency, morality and commitment to future prospects of our country we can stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in order to preserve our youth," he said.

Mr Jehoiada Godwin Amuzu, Executive Director of YUFRIST expressed concern about the lyrics of most hip-life songs and urged musicians to inject sanity into their lyrics.

"I am not condemning hip-life music but it could be used to educate and caution the youth against social vices," he said.

He urged political leaders to demonstrate practical commitment to the fight against indecency, triviality and other social vices that draw the nation back.