Kumasi, May 18, GNA - The Ghana National Commission (GNC) for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), has decried the increasing rate of immorality, crime wave and other social vices among the youth. It also expressed concern about the rapid environmental degradation, human rights abuses and other violence against humanity. Mrs Charity Amamoo, Secretary-General of the GNC made the observation at a two-day workshop organised by the Commission for 21 selected teachers from the Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo Regions in Kumasi at the weekend.

It was aimed at equipping the participants with vital skills and knowledge to help them effectively promote the objectives of UNESCO clubs.

The workshop, which had the theme "Building the Defences of Peace in the Minds of the Youth", was also aimed at promoting the primary objectives of UNESCO.

Mrs Amamoo underscored the important role UNESCO clubs had played to maintain peace, security, poverty alleviation, sustainable development, human rights, democracy, good governance, environmental sustainability and poverty eradication.

Mr Joseph Kwabena Onyinah, Ashanti Regional Director of Education, said recent events suggest that the youth have a crucial role to play in conflict and disaster prevention, preservation of cultural heritage and political development in the country. He stressed the need for a conscious attempt to prepare the youth to perform their role for the future in a responsible manner. Mr Onyinah said the world has tremendously benefited from the clubs activities, which have been valuable partners of UNESCO to translate its ideals.

Reverend Dr Emmanuel Appiah of the Pentecost University College, who presided, appealed to the participants to understand the culture of the communities where they would form the UNESCO clubs. He indicated that they were ambassadors of UNESCO to propagate its ideals through inter-cultural dialogue and exchanges within the spirit of voluntarism and truth.