THE MINISTER for National Security Mr. Francis Poku says, if prompt efforts are not taken to uproot occultism, prostitution, excessive bullying of fresh students and same sex relationship in schools, it could lead to disastrous consequences for the African continent.

He therefore called on African leaders not to close their eyes on the looming disaster but take a bold step to nib it in the bud.

He stated that African leaders are today sincerely searching for political, social and economic breakthroughs that could promote peace and stability for the future generation.

According to the Minister, there was also the search for Regional and sub-regional political and economic unity, with provision for military institutions that could guarantee stability. However he said that development and stability must be inter-twinned with respect for the rule of law and human rights. Mr. Poku made these observations when speaking under the theme: Maintaining National Security; the Role of The Youth, during a two-day All African Students Union (AASU) conference at the University of Ghana-Legon on March 1.

He challenged the youth to aspire to good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law. However, he said it is his contention that for Africa to reach these goals, any vision it aspires to must be under-pinned by our spiritual and moral traditions.

“At a time when Africa is being bombarded by global ideas akin to relativism, we need to search for the spiritualism and morality to insulate the youth from destructive utopian ideas,” he said.

H added that University programmes must be able to help the youth harness positive ideas towards spiritual and moral goals.

Speaking at the conference that attracted Students Unions across the continent, Mr. Poku expressed grave concern about the migration of African youth to Europe, and other continents to seek greener pastures through the use of unapproved routes such as the Sahara Desert.

“Many of the youth travel through the Sahara Desert on foot to North Africa, from where they undertake perilous journeys using rickety boats across the Mediterranean into Europe. Needless to say, thousands have died on those trips, and the few that reach the final destinations may be locked up in detention camps,” he observed.

The Minister therefore charged African leaders to pursue sound policies that will stem the tide of migration into Europe and USA. “African governments must pursue policies that will create security-conscious population,” he stated. Over the years, he said, the relationship between successive governments and for that matter security agencies and youth groups in Ghana, particularly students, have been determined by concrete social realities.

According to him, students and youth groups have had hostile relationships with undemocratic and dictatorial governments. The reasons for this kind of relationship are not far-fetched because, student groups by their nature are articulate, radical, fair-minded and objective.

The youth, according to the Minister, have a bigger stake in the future affairs of any country and so, they would challenge any system which has the tendency to jeopardise their future.

Mr. Poku called for educational reforms that would aim at turning out products that can meet the requirements of the job market.

The aim of such a reform or programme he said, is to sensitize the youth to accept so-called unpopular jobs such as farming and agriculture in general. He lamented that Africa remain the only continent that can still not feed itself, despite the fertile lands that the continent was blessed with. The National Security boss called for good governance across the continent as a means to eliminate dictators from politics. He appealed for the use of consultation and dialogue to seek solutions rather than violence.

Mr. Poku noted that Ghana today has the best chance of offering its people, especially the youth, a stable and peaceful environment for development. This, he said, was that the national security practices have a solid constitutional and legal framework.

They are not based on the principle of “the end justifies the means” but rather the deep respect for the dignity of Ghanaians and their social and moral values,” he said.