Assist youth to acquire apprenticeship skills-Rev. Quayson

Esiama (W/R) Jan. 29, GNA - The Very Reverend John F. Quayson, Superintendent Minister of the Aboadze Circuit of the Methodist Church said the negative peer pressure, unemployment, marriage and the desire for mobile phones are major challenges facing the Ghanaian youth. He said the youth could live more meaningfully and contribute towards the growth of the society, if they are assisted to develop their talents, acquire apprenticeship skills and accepted by society as young adults.

Rev. Quayson said these at the opening of the eight biennial delegates conference of the Sekondi Diocese of the Methodist Church at Esiama on Friday.

It was on the theme, "A Youth Called and Ready to Serve". He said some youths could not perform creditably when entrusted with roles because their churches, communities and associations have failed to train them to assume leadership.

Rev. Quayson said to reverse the trend, there was the need to design special leadership training programmes for the youth, include them in the decision making process and solicit their views on issues. Mr. Charles K. Arthur, Nzema East District Director of the National Youth Council (NYC) said the development of the youth is a continuous process and must not only aim at their spiritual life.

He said the social, economic, emotional and psychological needs of the youth should be taken seriously while counselling sessions should be organised for them regularly.

Mr. Arthur said the youth should be assisted to develop their problem solving skills, competencies and use such newly acquired knowledge to assist their peers. He appealed to them to set their own goals and aim at achieving them, avoid comparism and assert themselves.