Young people have been told to completely stay away from premature sexual relationships to avoid ruining their lives. Mr Prince Entsie, President of the Ashanti Regional branch of the United Nations Association of Ghana, said they should rather concentrate on their education and skills acquisition.

Speaking at a forum held to mark this year’s regional celebration of World Population Day, held at the Adanwomase Senior High School (SHS) in the Kwabre East District, he said this was the path to success and a fulfilling future.

“Investing in young people: Our future, our heritage” was the theme for the event, organized by the association with support from the United Nations population Fund (UNFPA). Mr Entsie expressed concern about the country’s rapid population increase and said there was the need for the government to act with urgency to control it.

He said it should not be lost on anybody, the dire consequences that uncontrolled population growth through inaction could have on the nation and its resources. It was therefore important to give priority to population issues and work together to prevent the situation from getting out of hand.

He also spoke of the need for the introduction of youth development policies and interventions to stop their drift towards social vices - drugs, violent crime, alcoholism, and sex.

Mr Entsie invited all stakeholders’ to accept to play their expected roles well to guide the youth and aid them to make the right decisions.