Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo, Brong–Ahafo Regional Minister, at the weekend urged Christian youth to continue to spearhead the crusade against indiscipline, which has undermined the social fabric of the country. In an address read for him at the 13th Biennial Youth and Students Assembly of the Methodist Church of Ghana in Sunyani, he said it was the expectation of many that the proliferation of churches and other religious organisations would help translate positively social virtues. But, on the contrary, the country is witnessing massive moral degeneration, especially among the youth. The Assembly was under the theme: “Raising Young Leaders of Integrity for Sustainable Development of Church and Society”. Mr Nyamekye Marfo noted that the canker of massive moral degeneration was responsible for the spate of violence, rape, armed robbery, suicide cases, as well as the rapid and continued spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the country. “The unfortunate situation of loss of confidence of society in religious bodies is because some of them have relaxed their principles and compromised their sanctity as moulders of spiritual discipline and moral uprightness of members and have rather replaced it with greed, love of power, money and other anti-social virtues”, he added. The regional minister admonished the youth to develop successfully from dependency to responsible and autonomous adults who would meaningfully contribute to national development. He said this would help them to develop their intellectual and analytical instincts instead of engaging in social vices and using inappropriate ways in seeking for material wealth. Mr. Nyamekye Marfo appealed to the Christian youth to be guided by the Word of God, which entreated them to be the ‘salt of the earth’ and the ‘light of the world’ by exhibiting shining examples to their colleagues. The Right Reverend James Baffour–Awuah, Bishop of Sunyani Diocese of the Church, said it was expected that the youth of the church would indulge in activities that would help imbibe in them a sense of discipline, moral upliftment and the ability and power to influence society. He expressed appreciation that most of the youth of the Methodist Church were gainfully employed and urged them to continue to educate and support their unemployed colleagues to learn trades and other skills. Rev. Dr. Isaac Nana Abekah, Director of the 2010 Youth and Students’ Assembly, said the world needed leaders of integrity to stop wars that led to the destruction of human lives and properties. “The current happenings in Christian circles, the news of horror and shame about some clergymen, the corrupt practices of some church members that go to tarnish the image of the church is the fact that integrity in all sectors of the church’s life is being trampled upon,” the director said. The director said the assembly was aimed at assessing progress made so far after the launch of the church’s project christened ‘Vision 2010,’ meant to help mould the youth to become responsible leaders in future. Source: GNA