Takoradi, Jan. 31, GNA - Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, on Sunday, asked Churches to look at ways through which they coul= d help break some of the numerous societal barriers that restrict young people, with regard to employment generation.

He made the call in an address, read for him, at the national launchin= g of the "The Year of the Adventist Youth", of the Ghana Union Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church at Takoradi. Mr Aidoo said the churches could do this by giving the youth, the requisite technical and vocational skills, as well as financial support programmes to enable them to lead independent lives, in addition to giving them moral training.

He said this would help reduce the unemployment situation in the country, and urged the youth to position themselves for the various opportunities available to them, by allowing themselves to be given the necessary training to meet the requirements for the employment opportunities.

"As the Church makes the clarion call for revival, it is my hope that all young Adventists would rally to the call and position themselves for positive action", Mr Aidoo said, adding that, the youth in the Church shoul= d take advantage of the opportunities, since it is a chance to demonstrate to the nation their leadership and managerial capacities.

He said the theme for the project "Reviving the Youth for Positive Action" is appropriate, since it appears there is some kind of apathy and indifference engulfing most young people nationwide. Mr Aidoo said the youth, who should be preparing to take over the helm of leadership, have rather channelled their energies and time into less productive ventures and the national craze to get rich quick has led some youths to indulge in negative practices, such as armed robbery, cyber/internet fraud, bribery and corruption, in order to enjoy the good life.

He said it is the collective responsibility of all to guide the youth to direct their creativity into areas that would ensure national unity and progress and cautioned the youth to be wary of some politicians, who would like to take advantage of them for their selfish gains. Pastor (Dr) Samuel Adama Larmie, President of the Ghana Union Conference of SDA Church, said the Church has dedicated this year to the youth, who are the future of the Church and society.

He said many people are quick to criticize young people for wasting away precious time and energy in unproductive ways but fail to provide opportunities to hear them out and support them through guidance to channel their energies rightly.

Pastor Larmie said something must be done beyond criticizing and this was what the Church seeks to achieve this year by engaging the youth, as Christ would, to build their character and offer them opportunities, skills= , guidance and direction. Mr Kobina Pra Annan, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Chief Executive, wh= o presided, advised the youth to study hard since they were the future leader= s of the country.