Ho, July. 25, GNA- Reverend Captain Michael Yao Foli, Founder of the Back to The Rock Ministry, a nonprofit Christian organisation has cautioned students against the dangers of sexual immorality.
He said sex and immorality at the teen stage remained the main impediment to youth development, and was gaining steam as technology advanced, therefore students should seek to embrace chastity.
Rev. Foli was ministering to students of the Mawuko Girls Senior High School in Ho and said the youth must remain faithful to the guidance of parents, and school authorities to be able to stay clear of the growing social destruction, noting how negative influences were gradually being accepted by society.
He asked students to be wary of the avenues of influence unto amoral behavior, which included the fast-growing internet enabled social connectivity.
The Reverend said students must remain assertive on principles and exercise caution around suitors and favours to avoid sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies and disrupted educational progress.
“If you mess around with sex when you are not married, you are likely to catch some serious STDs. Sex is not something to gamble with or take chances with,” he advised the youth.
Rev. Foli lamented how the nation was free falling into licentious living, and which challenged the future of the youth.
“Ghana is living as if there are no leaders. Things are not going well, and the future of youth is at risk. Society needs to come out of the mess”, the Founder said, adding that popular music and celebrities continued to channel negative influences on the youth.
He said the youth “must leave the world and follow Jesus” and endear to obey authority.
“Every school rule was meant to shape you, and you cannot survive in life without discipline. Your parents only want the best for you. Don’t be distracted”.
Rev. Foli said students must not encourage alcoholism and drunkenness and should always keep good company.
“Be wise, be polite but don’t be weak. Remind yourself that you are a child of God. As a child of God, you will not be abused” he said.
Rev Capt. Foli is a retired international pilot, a Lawyer and a lecturer.
He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the Ministry was formed following a vision from God directing him reach out to youths in their colleges.
The Ministry had since 2009 visited several schools and is currently touring institutions in the Volta Region.
It provides salvation and counselling sessions, and works to mend broken lives and homes, reconciling children and their parents.
The Founder told the GNA of the inability of the Church to meet the spiritual needs of the youth, leaving many to fall to distractions, and the prey of abusers including adults.
He said incest and other forms of sexual abuse were therefore on the increase and called for the reinforcement of counselling in the various schools to help avert the pressure of societal influence on the youth.
Rev. D. N. A. Affram, Chaplain of the Mawuko Girls School said the recent establishment of counselling units in the various schools provided full time counselors, while all teachers had been equipped to support the efforts.
He said teachers should therefore consider the times and commit more to the needs of children under their care.
GNA