Winneba (C/R) March 24, GNA - The University College of Education, Winneba, (UCEW) would start a Post Diploma Certificate Course in Guidance and Counselling in June.

The Reverend Dr Felix Doudu, Head of Department of Psychology and Education, of the UEW, who announced this, encouraged students to take advantage of the programme to specialise in counselling. He was addressing a durbar to climax activities of a week long celebration of the Counsellors Association of Ghana, at Winneba. A former Dean of Students Affairs of the University, called on the association to provide services that would assist students to make informed and reasonable choices.

He explained that traditionally, counselling is a voluntary service offered by parents, guardians and family elders who guide their children and relations to do what society expects of them. Additionally, heads of institutions, housemasters and mistresses counsel students on value systems, behaviour change and subject choices.

The Theme for the celebration is: "Guidance and Counselling, a Powerful Tool in Nation Building; The role of Counsellors." Mr James Mahama, the UEW Branch Chairman of the Association, appealed to the authorities of the University to increase the intake of students to the Department.

Nana Harm rpt Nana Harm, Interim National President of the Counsellors Association of Ghana, said Counselling is being used as an integral part of education and the training of the child revolves around it. "There is the need for all counsellors to rise up and join hands to meet the stupendous challenge of shaping the values and emotions of individuals, including students, teachers and parents." Neenyi Ghartey VII, Omanhen of Effutu Traditional Area, expressed concern about the way the youth were indulging in all forms of immoral acts. He said if proper steps were not taken to save the situation the future of the country, in terms of its human resource base, would be bleak.