Ho, Feb. 11, GNA - Mr Edwin Gamadeku, Volta Regional Director of Department of Children on Wednesday called on parents to endeavour to celebrate this year's Valentine's Day with their children. "You should spend time with your children on the Day, show them love through exchange of gifts and other gestures, "he said.

Mr Gamadeku speaking to Ghana News Agency in an interview in Ho said this way, "Children would understand what Valentine's Day really means and how it is celebrated in future." He said such efforts were important because the youth over the last few years indulged in immoral acts during the celebration of Valentine's Day. Mr Gamadeku said it was the responsibility of parents to protect their children against engaging in activities against their interest, adding "parents should not leave children to their fate during such celebrations." He pointed out that parents had the duty to stay with their children, occupy them with fruitful activities and ensure they went to bed before them.

Mr Gamadeku said Junior High School (JHS) students especially should be given more attention because they were more vulnerable to deviant behaviours. "You have to monitor their movements, dressing and the kind of friends who visit them during the day," he said. Mr Ransford Ocloo, Volta Regional Director of National Youth Council (NYC) advised the youth to behave maturely and responsibly during the celebration. He reminded them of the existence of HIV/AIDS and celebrate the Day with the demonstration of love and not necessarily through sexual intercourse.

Mr Ocloo counselled them against excessive drinking, saying that it could lead to misguided activities. Meanwhile, some churches and other Christian organizations are organising several love and relationship talk shows in Ho for the youth on Valentine's Day to keep them away from street jams and similar night gatherings. Valentine's Day celebration nationwide, over past few years, had been characterized with sexual activities, some involving minors. Three years ago, there were reported cases of shortage of condoms in some cities and towns on the Day.