Akim Oda (E/R), April. 30, GNA- A Reverend Minister has urged parents to provide their children with sound moral education. They should also provide practical and acceptable values to enable them to grow up to become honest, committed, dedicated and hardworking citizens.

Rev. Daniel Opong-Wereko, in charge of the Akim Oda District of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, expressed this sentiment, in a chat with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), shortly after meeting the youth of the church.

This he said would encourage the children to contribute more meaningfully to the country's sustainable development in future. He said it was equally important for parents to invest in their children's education and pay frequent visits to them in their schools to enable them to become more committed to their academic work. Rev. Opong-Wereko also expressed his views on "responsible parenthood" and said many parents had reneged on their responsibilities, thus forcing their children to rely on their peers for advice and directions.

He said the lack of parental control and supervision also impacted negatively on children, because most of them spent countless hours in watching pornographic films and indulged in pre-marital sex, which exposed them to numerous infectious diseases.

The Reverend Minister stated that it was equally important for parents to spend much time with their children and critically observe them and identify their needs and assist where necessary.

He pointed out that coping with their physical and emotional changes, establishing and responding positively to changing situations as well as developing the necessary values and skills for successful marriage were some of the problems confronting children.