Koforidua, March 22, GNA- Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, on Sunday advised students to guard against social vices such as drug abuse, alcoholism, occultism and others that abound in their various educational institutions. He reminded them that, though those vices may appear very attractive to them, in reality they ended up in destroying them.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo gave the advice in an address read on his behalf at the 11th Annual Second Cycle Institutions Joint Consecration Service for members of the Ghana National Association of Adventist Students (GNAAS) of the East Ghana Conference in Koforidua under the theme :"While we wait". He urged the students to study hard so that they could achieve academic excellence, adding, "by this you will be preparing yourselves for the future since you would have acquired the requisite knowledge and skills to make you marketable in this fast changing world". Mr Ofosu-Ampofo advised them not to associate themselves with those who do not see the need to labour and yet want to get rich quick within a short period.

"Your parents, guardians, teachers and Ghana as a nation have invested huge sums of money, energy and resources to develop your human potentials and capabilities to enable you work for the benefit of humanity and the glory of God". He challenged them to be shinning examples for others to follow, adding that as Christians, they are the salt and the light of the world at all times in all places.

Elder Adomah Akumfi-Ameyaw, of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church, advised the students not to indulge in negative acts such as fornication, examination malpractices, violence and armed robbery among others. He charged them to be oriented to the realities of life, especially in terms of gainful employment and said the country was looking up to them for solution to its ever-increasing social, political, economic and moral challenges.

Pastor Nii Lante Thompson, of the SDA Church, in a sermon, expressed worry about reported cases of occultism, lesbianism and sodomy taking place on campuses and called fora concerted effort from all to fight those cankers. He advised the students not to join these groups reminding them that, doing so means that, they had sold their soul to the devil. Pastor Thompson advised them to be careful of those they befriend on campus and to aim for excellence and make it to the University.