Let the youth know what St. Valentine stood for

Kumasi, Feb.13, GNA - Catholic clergy has been urged to educate Ghanaians on the life and works of Saint Valentine to enable the people appreciate and understand his principles on love and passion for humanity. By understanding the concept and principles of love as practiced by St. Valentine, the misconception associated with the celebration of Valentine's Day in Ghana would be erased.

Mr. Opoku Agyeman Prempeh, Chief Executive of Lakayana Company in Kumasi, who made the appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, said conscious efforts should be made by the leadership of the church to dispel the misconception associated with Valentine's Day in Ghana. He said the present situation where the Valentine's Day has been misconstrued and associated with sexual promiscuity and other immoral acts by the youth should concern the leadership of the Christian community, especially the Catholic Church, which St. Valentine belonged. Mr. Prempeh said St. Valentine had real love for mankind and gave from his heart all he had to assist the poor, needy and widows. He also encouraged the well-to-do in his time to assist the less privileged in their communities.

"This is what the people have to know and emulate", he said, pointing out that, St. Valentine was a committed Christian who loved his people. What is more worrying, Mr Prempeh said, was the Christian youth who are also involve in the hedonistic celebrations and charged the leadership of the church to organize campaign programmes to keep the youth on the straight and narrow path.

Mr. Prempeh said the consequences of indiscriminate sexual activities on occasions like the Valentine's Day were unthinkable and advised the youth not to fall victim to the media hype of the Day and not engage in acts that could ruin their future.