Most Reverend Joseph Osei-Bonsu, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, has appealed to politicians to avoid electioneering campaigns based on mischief and ethnicity.

That, he warned, could threaten the unity and cohesion of the nation.

He said what voters expected to hear from the politicians was how they were going to tackle the economic and social difficulties they faced if given the mandate to govern.

The political parties and their supporters therefore need to engage in healthy discourse on issues that are of interest to the ordinary people.

The Most Rev. Osei-Bonsu, who is the Catholic Bishop of Konongo-Mampong, was addressing hundreds of the church’s youth at the maiden Kumasi Ecclesiastical Province World Youth Day Celebration at Kenyasi in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

He said the peace and unity of the nation must be put ahead of selfish political interest and convenience.

Bishop Osei-Bonsu advised the youth to be alert and refuse to allow themselves to be manipulated by any politician to wreak havoc on the society.

He said they needed to conduct themselves well and be law-abiding and disciplined.

Mr. Williams Boakye Baafi, Kumasi Provincial Coordinator of the Association of Catholic Teachers, urged the young people to uphold the values of integrity and hard work.

He said they should also take their studies seriously.

Mr. Ernest Richard Amankwah, Ecclesiastical Provincial Chairman of the Catholic Youth, asked them to desist from all forms of social vices and work towards their spiritual growth.