Kumasi, April 20, GNA - Mr. Osei-Assibey Antwi, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, has called on the church and parents to partner the government to rid the society of all anti-social and criminal activities among the youth.

He noted that the youth in particular were becoming more and more lawless with the high incidence of aberrant behaviours exemplified by immorality, drug abuse, armed robbery and violence which were having their heavy toll on the society.

The Deputy Regional Minister was addressing the first Asante Presbytery congress of the Young Adults Fellowship (YAF) of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Kumasi on Saturday. The three-day congress was on the theme: "Let Us Go Unto Maturity".

Mr. Osei-Assibey said, "it is the responsibility of the church to inculcate good moral values and virtues such as, the fear of God and deep sense of respect for law, order and authority, honest and hard work into the youth to help stem the tide of unbridled criminal and social violence, apathy and tension that have engulfed the society". He expressed optimism that the Christian youth would be well-equipped with the knowledge of the word of God to be able to propagate the good news to every corner of the society.

He said, in so doing, they would become active partners in the development of the church and the nation and also lead the crusade for emancipation of other young people who have not seen the light of God. Mr Kingsley Akom, the Presbytery President of YAF, charged the youth to allow the Holy Spirit to take control over their activities and grow into maturity to help rid the country of unemployment, streetism and insecurity.

He urged the youth to conduct themselves in a politically matured manner to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections this year devoid of any intimidation and rancour.

Mr Akom appealed to the youth to exercise their franchise cautiously so that some politicians would not use them to satisfy their whims and caprices.