Nandom, (U/W), April 22, GNA - Ghanaians have been warned that the tendency to elect political leaders based on ethnocentrism and religious background could negatively affect the country's young democracy. Madam Agnes A. Ganda, Coordinator of Tamale Ecclesiastical Province Pastoral Conference (TEPPCON), a Catholic non-governmental organisation (NGO), who gave the caution, said such a trend could also result in electing incompetent and greedy people.

She was speaking at a two-day workshop on good governance and development, organised by TEPPCON for 70 youth from political, religious, civil society and youth organisations in Nandom on Monday. Madam Ganda urged Ghanaians to vote for or accept people into political leadership because of their competence, honesty and patriotism, and who could positively change the lives of the people. "Our leaders should be people who are ready to ensure that every community enjoy its share of the national cake," she said. Madam Ganda urged the youth to avoid politics of insults and to ensure unity for development and advised traditional rulers not to participate in party politics.

Mr Isaac Owusu Mensah, Senior Programme Manager of KAS; advised the youth to take advantage of the Government's educational policies to acquire skills and knowledge necessary for development. He called on the Government and organisations to collaborate in their efforts to address the problems of poverty and drug abuse, which were affecting the development of the youth.

Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), a Germany nongovernmental organisation, sponsored the forum that was on the theme: "Good governance and development - The role of the youth." It was aimed at providing the youth with knowledge and skills to enable them to avoid negative influence from politicians and opinion leaders. 22 April 08