General News of Sunday, 23 August 2009

Source: GNA

Stop demanding sex in return for jobs - Archbishop Mensah

Kumasi, Aug 23, GNA - The Most Revered Thomas Kwaku Mensah, Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Kumasi, has condemned employers who demanded sex in return for employment, saying it was immoral, sinful and violated the human rights of job seekers.

He attributed the challenges facing the nation to "people's addiction to sin, which in the end separated humankind from God's love, the consequences being damnation." The Most Rev. Mensah was delivering a sermon during his maiden pastoral visit to Saint Anthony's Catholic Church at Anwomaso, in Kumasi.

The Archbishop urged Christians to let their beliefs reflect in their daily lives to help reduce social vices in society. The Most Rev. Mensah reminded Christians that the world was a temporary abode for humankind and asked them to avoid chasing earthly wealth and prepare for their final home in heaven.

He urged parents and authorities to ensure that children were properly trained to enable them to become responsible leaders in future. Archbishop Mensah urged workers in the public sector to avoid laziness and be proactive to increase productivity.

The clergyman advised Ghanaians to refrain from the "get-rich quick" attitude, which according to him has resulted in cyber fraud, commonly known as 'sakawa' and armed robbery among the youth. The Most Rev. Mensah said he supported caning of school children by teachers to refine and shape their behaviour.

Nana Kwaku Siaw, Nkosuohene for Anwomaso, appealed to the Catholic Church to establish a basic school in the community and pledged that the traditional authorities would release land for any such project. Mr Kofi Appiah Boahen, Assembly Member for Anwomaso Electoral Area, expressed worry about the spate of armed robbery in area and asked the people to support the security personnel to end the crime.