Mampong (Ash), Oct. 29, GNA - A Senior Pastor of the Christ Missions International Church at Asante-Mampong has urged other pastors to use the pulpit to discourage occult practices among students. The Reverend Francis Osei said young people must be assisted to have better understanding of the dangers associated with occultism. The church, he said, has a duty to prevent the youth from ruining their lives.

Rev Osei told Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the nation cannot afford to see its youths suffer from insanity and other psychiatric problems through esoteric rituals.

It should not be lost "on us" that there is strong linkage between rising occultism in the country and the surge of cyber fraud, he said. Rev Osei expressed concern about the indiscipline and waywardness of the youth and said the church should do more to help change the situation. "We should not wait for things to get out of hand."

Rev Osei suggested that churches and other religious bodies made periodic visits to educational institutions to provide guidance and counselling to pupils and students, so that they would grow into responsible adults, adequately prepared to assume leadership of the society. He said the youth needed to be supported to keep way from all forms of immoral behaviour that could wreck their future. 29 Oct. 09