Gomoa Jukwa (C/R), Jan 5, GNA - The Head Pastor of the Swedru District branch of the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA), Pastor Richard Ntriakwa, has advised the youth to desist from drug trafficking and the excessive drinking of alcohol to enable them grow into good and responsible leaders in future.

He urged them to draw nearer to God instead of jeopardising their lives through such activities.

Pastor Ntriakwa stated these at the opening of a five-day retreat of the Church at Gomoa Jukwa, near Agona Swedru in the Central Region. Under the auspices of the Central Regional Youth Federation of the Church led the Regional Director, Pastor Dr Yaw Ankomah-Afari, over 200 youth from Mankessim, Cape Coast, Assin Fosu, Assin Bereku, Twifo Praso and Accra were educated on the need to manage their lives for a better future.

It was under the theme, 93Building Your Faith on a Solid Rock". Pastor Ntriakwa advised the youth especially the students to study hard and to desist from examination malpractices, which could land them in jail.

He stated that a student arrested over examination fraud, cast a bad slur on the family, the school, community and the Church and asked them to avoid the temptation.

The Head Pastor called on Church leaders to intensify their work to transform the youth and to get them closer to God.

He stressed that, "If the youth get to know that Jesus is their solid rock, there is no way one can rob his brother or sister of his property".

Pastor Ntriakwa called on the religious bodies to pray for a peaceful electioneering campaign towards the 2008 elections. He stressed the need to protect the peace and stability that the country was enjoying, saying, 93Ghana has become a shining example in sub-Sahara Africa".

Dr Ankomah-Afari who is also a Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), advised the youth to be disciplined to enable them contribute their quota towards national development. He urged them to participate actively in the sanitation, education and health programmes of their communities to improve the living standard of the people.

The youth as part of their social responsibilities planted over 500 tree seedlings as part of the activities marking the Silver Jubilee of Ghana's Independence in March 2007.