Be careful about publicity given to cocaine industry

Ho, Sept. 8, GNA - The widespread publicity being given to the raging cocaine scandal have fuelled the curiosity of some sections of the youth to venture into that trade. The media should therefore, be mindful of the negative impact such publicity was having on society especially the youth.

Mr. Augustine Sarkwah, National Youth President of the Ghana Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) made the observation at the opening of the third annual youth delegate's convention of the Association in Ho on Friday.

The three-day event was under the theme, "Building youth leadership capacity and skills for promoting peace through our cultural, religious and social diversities".

Mr. Sarkwah said feedback from interviewing some youths three weeks ago indicated a growing realisation among them of the monetary returns to be derived from that trade and were therefore ready to take the risk arguing that, "every business involves risk taking". He said such youth seemed prepared to resort to bribery in order to minimise their chances of being caught.

Peace, Mr. Sarkwah said that attribute should begin with each person in the family and permeate friends, communities and "natural activities".

He said everyone must cherish peace and see it from the perspective of one Thich Nhat Hahn, who said, "if we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile and blossom lime a flower, and everyone in our family, in our entire society, will benefit from peace".

In a keynote address read for him, the Volta Regional Minister, Mr. Kofi Dzamesi said the upsurge of negative tendencies among the youth posed a lot of challenges to youth organisations such as the YMCA. Mr. Dzamesi said forums such as the convention should therefore, discuss youth unemployment, immorality and crime-wave among the youth and fashion out strategies for reaching out to youth outside organised youth associations with their messages.

He urged youth groups to find out more about government's youth programmes the opportunities they offer and take advantage of the for the benefit of their members.

The National General Secretary of the Association, Mr. Samuel Anim urged delegates to the convention to come up with practical concepts on how the YMCA could work in the local associations to enhance the development of other young people in their communities who do not have the privilege and opportunities they have.

Topics to be treated during the convention include, peace building from the Christian perspective, effective conflict resolution mechanisms for peace building within our multi-cultural, religious and ethnic diversity and youth leadership capacity and skills building.