Mankessim C/R), April 12, GNA - The Deputy Majority Chief Whip, Mr George Kuntu Blankson, at the weekend called on Government to use regional transfer of workers to promote national integration and unity. Mr Blankson who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mfantseman East, held that regional transfers could help to erase misconceptions some people have about people living in other parts of the country. Speaking at the fourth Mfantseman Youth Achievers' Day at Mankessim, the MP noted that such transfers could facilitate inter-ethnic marriages and reduce conflicts.

"If a Fante man marries a Dagomba woman, he would be compelled to learn and appreciate the culture of the Dagombas and would be in a better position to defend their tradition anytime the need arises," he pointed. Mr Blankson called on the Media Commission to impress upon the media to reduce advertisements on alcoholic drinks. The adverts, he said, were corrupting the youth and destroying the nation's labour force.

The Deputy Majority Chief Whip also condemned the attitude of some Ghanaians who studied abroad on government scholarships but refused to use the knowledge acquired to serve the nation, and reminded Ghanaians that no foreigner could develop the nation better than Ghanaians themselves. Mr Henry Kweku Hayfron, Mfantseman Municipal Chief Executive, expressed concern about politicians who used alcoholic drinks to entice the youth for votes.

"Instead of providing them with food or something valuable, these politicians provide the youth with drinks anytime they meet them", he said. He advised the youth to strive for excellence but cautioned them against over ambition, which he described as the cause of the downfall of many people.

Mr Hayfron condemned the behaviour of some youth towards the present government which, he said, had given opportunity to the youth to serve the nation more than any other government, and called for restraint. The Mfantseman Youth Achievers' Award was instituted in 2007 by the FED Kastle Award Foundation, an NGO based in Saltpond, following a national award conferred on its Executive Director, Mr Francis Ejaku Donkoh in 2006.