Ho, Aug. 16, GNA - Mr Joseph Adda, Minister for Manpower, Youth and Employment has called on parents to direct their efforts at educating their children to at least read and write.

He said this was important because anything short of that denies the individual the critical knowledge and information that were essential for surviving and living with dignity, respect and high self-esteem.

Mr Adda made the call at an inauguration ceremony of Neighbour-Love-Ghana (NLG) a non-governmental organisation in Ho. He said illiteracy was a great handicap, because it violates the right of the individual and limits the free choice of work. Mr Adda said this affects the socio-economic life of the nation, as the illiterate majority could not create any movement towards personal development to advance that of his immediate community.

Mr Adda, thus, called for concerted effort of all stakeholders in children and the youth to compliment government's effort of educating all for effective individual participation in the communities.

Ms Lena Alai, Volta Regional Director of Women and Children's Affairs reiterated government's commitment to ensuring gender equality through the integration of women into the development process of the country.

She, however, said government alone could not undertake the task, thus the need for collaboration with non-governmental organisations like Neighbour-Love-Ghana.

In a welcoming address, Mama Ayaba II, Queen Mother of Adafianu and Second Deputy Executive Chairperson of NLG said the organisation with about 150 membership, was committed to fighting social deprivations of society.

She said the four-year-old organisation, which has organised several regional and national activities has the promotion of friendliness among members, organisation of social and educative activities like excursions, lectures, debates and symposia as its objectives.

Mama Ayaba said it also aims at promoting socio-economic activities among members and the community, facilitating issues of the youth like drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy and the promotion of healthy environment.

Bishop Michael Awudza of Evangelical Universal Church later swore a 14-member executive into office.