The Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Youth Co-ordinator of the National Youth Council (NYC), Mr. Emmanuel Sodja Martey, has advised the youth not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of intimidation and destruction by any group of people or individuals. Mr. Martey said this when addressing a youth forum organised by his outfit in collaboration with Therdnet Organisation, a local non-governmental organisation at Winneba. Thirty-five youth leaders in the district took part in the forum that discussed some major challenges facing the youth and youth organisations. These include, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, inter-group and intra-group conflicts, how to deal with them and also how youth organisations could function effectively and in a sustainable manner. He said as youth organisations or individuals their objective was to ensure sustainable socio-economic development of their communities. "Armed robbery, prostitution, moral decadence associated with the youth must be of great concern to you as future leaders". Mr. Martey said Plan Ghana, an NGO, was collaborating with the NYC in the district to sponsor some needy youth to train at Youth Leadership and Skill Training institutes and other vocational institutions. He said others would also be considered for short-term skill training programmes and appealed to other organisations to emulate the example of Plan Ghana to help the youth in the rural communities. The Youth Co-ordinator urged youth organisations to lead the crusade in halting the spread of HIV/AIDS in their communities through educative programmes. He also advised the youth against getting involved in chieftaincy disputes and other negative tendencies that could undermine their development and the development of the nation. Source: GNA