Insulate youth against religious fundamentalism-Gomez

Koforidua, Jan. 13, GNA- The Executive Secretary of the Africa Alliance of the Young Men Christian Association (YMCA), Mr. James Gomez, has called for a global effort to prevent the influence of Christian and Muslim fundamentalism on the youth.

Mr Gomez said these at a press conference in Koforidua on Friday during the opening of a five-day conference of the association to review its operations in Ghana.

The Nairobi-based Executive Secretary, stressed the need for an interface of likeminded people to protect young persons from any false teachings or doctrines.

He said for the sanctity of the human life to be maintained, society must ensure that the young do not easily accept false teachings that make them question the essence of humanity and unleash violence on it.

The Secretary suggested the empowering of the young to be good and principled ecumenical leaders who would help bring relief and respite to the suffering rather than compounding problems on the earth. Mr Gomez also re-echoed the need to educate society to come to terms with the fact that women rights are human rights that ought to be respected, noting that instead of discriminating against sections of the society, efforts should be made towards ensuring equity, especially for women, to enable them to assume leadership roles.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah who opened the meeting, acknowledged the role of YMCA in equipping the young with employable skills and urged them to continue supporting in that regard. Mr Barimah stressed the need for Ghanaians to be each other's keeper and in the spirit of communality, help resolve the myriad social problems facing the country. 13 Jan 07