Accra, July 3, GNA - Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister for Women and Children's Affairs, at the weekend said Ghana had reached a stage where religious leaders must get involved in the campaign against indiscipline to make it successful.

She noted that Islam and Christianity would hardly compromise on matters concerning their beliefs and said such loyalty must transcend their messages to discourage unacceptable behaviour. Hajia Mahama made the call in an address at the end of a two-day 26th Annual Greater Accra Regional Conference of the Lajna Imaillah, (Ahmadiyya Muslim Women's Association), held at Bustan-E-Ahmad, Ashongman in Accra

About 600 delegates from all the six circuits of the Regional Association from Kasoa, Achimota, Nima, Abossey Okai, Darkuman and Tema attended the Conference, held on the theme: "Curbing Indiscipline in the Society - the Role of Religion."

Hajia Mahama noted that lateness, absenteeism, littering, flouting traffic regulations, indecent dressing, domestic violence and mob action were undisciplined acts and attributed them to rising materialism and the loss of the centrality of God in the lives of people. She said children were becoming confused with the loss of "the God factor," pointing out that the centrality of God in life would help curb indiscipline in society.

The Minister reminded religious leaders to be exemplary since they were very influential and their lifestyles projected them, adding that bringing sanity into the society was a collective responsibility. Mrs Mariam Wahab Adam, wife of the Leader and Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Mission in Ghana, said it was not enough to be called an Ahmadi, but that the women should have a sincere attachment to the Islamic faith.

She said it was necessary that Ahmadi women brought their children up and gave them both sound religious and secular education. Mrs Adam announced that a primary school with an attached pre-school would be opened next academic year at the Ashongman Ahmadiyya Centre.

Mr Kofi Adusei, Programme Officer, explained the operation of the National Health Insurance Scheme to the gathering and urged them to register and contribute to the Scheme to reap its benefits. A sideline of the conference was an exhibition of food and textile products by the women from all the six circuits.