Nkoranza (B/A), May 11. GNA - Mr. Eric Opoku, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, has challenged religious leaders to use the pulpit to address the moral decadence among the youth, to help them grow to become responsible members of the church and society. He said churches had the greatest advantage in disseminating information to the general public and should help to steer the youth away from crime, indiscipline, moral degeneration and self-centeredness. This was contained in an address read for him at the 6th synod of the Wenchi Diocese of the Methodist Church held at Nkoranza at the weekend.

The Deputy Regional Minister expressed regret that some churches had abandoned the teachings for righteous living, love for one another, humility, honesty and the very virtues that the Lord Jesus Christ stood for. "Our churches must help solve social problems as armed robbery, drug trafficking and its abuse, and HIV/AIDS to enhance national development," Mr. Opoku said. He however commended religious bodies for praying and preaching against violence during the 2008 general election, saying they really lived up to their role and responsibility as stakeholders in the nation's developmental process.

The Deputy Regional Minister called on churches to educate their members to keep their surroundings clean and to manage waste properly to avoid the outbreak of communicable diseases. The Right Reverend Charles Kwasi Konadu, Bishop of the Diocese, referred to the theme of the programme, "The Word of His Grace" and advised members of the church to allow the word of God to have an influence in their lives. He expressed concern about expensive funerals and how they affected the socio-economic development of the country, and asked leaders of churches to work to minimize their high cost. "The development of the country and church depends on quality education for the youth, and parents need to use their scarce resources in educating their children instead of wasting them on expensive funeral activities," the Bishop stated.

Rev. Emmanuel K. Osei, Chairman of Nkoranza Local Council of Churches commended the clergy and the laity in Wenchi Methodist Diocese for organizing the synod at Nkoranza to rekindle the spirit of members to promote the development of the church in the circuit.