Hohoe, Mar 24, GNA - Ms Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs (MOWAC), has said the government would soon come out with a dynamic pro-youth policy, which ensures adequate employment and economic opportunities.

She said the government was committed in assisting the youth to realize their potentials while contributing to the development agenda, "Better Ghana" being pursued by the Mills-led administration. Ms Dansua urged the youth to channel their energies into productive ventures such as the youth in agriculture programme, vocational and apprenticeship training for a secured and guaranteed future. The Minister gave the disposition during a thanksgiving service, in honour of the elevation of Mr Joseph Amenowode, Member of Parliament for Hohoe-North to Minister of State in charge of the Volta Region by chiefs and people of his hometown, Ve-Deme near Hohoe. Ms Dansua appealed to the youth to eschew negative practices like drunkenness, drug peddling and abuse, sexual promiscuity and disrespect but take their studies seriously.

She described as worrisome and unfortunate nation wrecking activity of smuggling of petroleum products across Ghana's eastern frontier to the Republic of Togo, which she said negated the government's intervention to reduce tariffs on imported crude oil and petroleum products.

Ms Dansua, therefore, called for the vigilance of the security apparatus as well as civil society members to stem these negative acts. On issues bordering on MOWAC, she appealed to the traditional leadership, district assemblies, civil society and non-governmental organizations as well as other government agencies to forge close relationships to promote the welfare of women, men and children. The Minister said, for instance, this collaboration could materialize when outmoded customary and traditional practices, which infringed on the human rights of especially women, girls and children, were eliminated.

"We should allow women more say in decision-making at the family, community and national levels to enrich development and accelerated growth", she said.

Ms Dansua said, children, likewise must be given audience to express their views on matters that affected their welfare, development and total growth.

"It is also important that we take the provision of maternal and child health services of our women and children seriously", she added. MA