By Dorothy Frances Ward
Kumasi, June 12, GNA – Rt. Rev. Oscar Christian Amoah, the Anglican Bishop of Kumasi, has called on churches to intensify efforts at instilling Christian values and discipline in young people to help address the growing incidence of social vices in society.
He said the youth constituted a vital segment of every society because they represented the future workforce, leadership and development of the nation, making their moral and character formation a matter of national importance.
Rt. Rev. Amoah made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi.
He expressed concern about the increasing involvement of some young people in social vices such as drug abuse, internet fraud, armed robbery, prostitution, violence and other forms of indiscipline.
According to him, institutions such as the Church must strengthen their role in promoting moral values and discipline among the youth to help reverse the trend.
The bishop noted that the Church had traditionally served as a moral compass for society through the teaching of the Bible and Christian doctrines, which educated young people on the importance of upright living and respect for societal norms.
He said such teachings promoted virtues including honesty, humility, obedience, compassion and self-control, which were essential for both personal growth and societal development.
Rt. Rev. Amoah identified mentorship as another important role of the Church, explaining that many churches organised youth fellowship meetings, seminars, retreats and counselling sessions where experienced leaders guided young people through the challenges of adolescence and early adulthood.
He said such programmes helped the youth to make informed decisions and avoid behaviours that could jeopardise their future.
“These interventions must be intensified. We have to keep reminding the youth of good values and virtuous lifestyles,” he stressed.
The bishop further stated that the Church must promote discipline through accountability by encouraging young people to actively participate in church activities and uphold high standards of conduct.
He explained that accountability helped young people develop positive habits and discouraged involvement in activities that could harm themselves or others.
Rt. Rev. Amoah also urged churches to provide opportunities for the constructive use of leisure time through activities such as choir practice, Bible studies, evangelism, sports and community service.
The bishop observed that the family and the Church shared a common responsibility in nurturing disciplined young people.
While families provided the foundation for moral upbringing, he said, the Church reinforced these values through continuous teaching and spiritual guidance.
“When both institutions work together, young people are more likely to grow into responsible adults who contribute positively to society,” he noted.
Rt. Rev. Amoah said the Church also had a critical role to play in addressing contemporary challenges confronting the youth, including social media influence, peer pressure and exposure to harmful content.
He said churches could educate young people on the dangers associated with these challenges and equip them with the values needed to make wise decisions without compromising their moral principles.
The bishop further noted that Christian teachings promoted respect for lawful authority, peaceful coexistence and the protection of the rights of others, values which contributed to social harmony and reduced incidents of violence and misconduct among young people.
He also encouraged churches to support youth development through educational and skills-training programmes.
Such initiatives, he said, empowered young people economically and socially, reducing their vulnerability to criminal activities and other social vices.
“Empowered youth are more likely to become productive members of society and agents of positive change,” he stated.
He stressed that strengthening collaboration among churches, families, schools and communities would go a long way towards building a society characterised by integrity, discipline and sustainable development.
GNA
Edited by Yussif Ibrahim/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Dorothy Frances Ward