The Scripture Union (SU) Ghana has held a mammoth national youth rally in Accra aimed at shaping character formation and instilling leadership and sexual discipline among the youth in the country.
The rally, dubbed ‘National Purity Campaign Rally’, organised by SU Ghana, in collaboration with World Conquest for Jesus, was attended by thousands of students drawn from 120 schools and churches across the Greater Accra Region.
It also brought together young people and delegates from Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Malawi, South Africa and the United States of America (USA).
The rally was preceded by a four-day outreach, which exposed over 50,000 youth to the gospel through programmes held at the Achimota School, University of Ghana, Odorgonno Senior High School, and Ghanata Senior High School, Dodowa, reaching participants across Greater Accra and parts of the Volta Region with the gospel as an essential medium for shaping responsible youth in the country.
The programme addressed youth sexuality from spiritual, educational and psychological perspectives in response to growing national concerns about its impact on academic performance, mental health and productivity.
The rally also sought to prepare the next generation for leadership by grounding education and ambition in ethical values.
The organisers said the programme would be sustained and expanded to reach more young people across the country.
Leadership and early Christian formation
Addressing the national rally in Accra, the General Director of SU Ghana, Derek Koomson, urged Ghanaian youth to prioritise moral integrity in their leadership roles and decision-making.
He said moral integrity remained essential to build leaders who could serve the country and the continent effectively to boost development.
“The problem with our country is not the leaders, not intellect and not money, but morality and integrity,” Mr Koomson added.
The SU Ghana General-Director said Ghana’s persistent development challenges reflected more of a breakdown in moral values rather than a lack of intelligence, leadership capacity or financial resources.
Mr Koomson added that early exposure to Christian teachings would help young people develop a character rooted in discipline, responsibility and service.
“If young people are introduced to Christ early, they learn and develop character to follow the virtues of Christ,” he said.
The SU General Director also urged participants to see faith as central to personal growth and leadership development.
“The beginning of every achievement anyone can have is to commit his or her life to God.
They must be intellectually sound, but also morally sound,” he said.
Unity
The Coordinator in charge of Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations at the Christian Council of Ghana, Jehoiada G.K. Amuzu, said Christian unity played a critical role in national development and youth empowerment.
“Our goal is to unite God’s people, regardless of background, so that Christian values can shape the younger generation to serve this nation with integrity and patriotism,” he said.
Mr Amuzu said the rally marked the revival of a national youth church gathering that Christian organisations had suspended for about a decade.
“Christians are the majority, but what is the value of that majority if our values do not empower us to serve our nation with selflessness, faith and love,” he said.
Renowned gospel musician, Uncle Ato, graced the occasion with some inspirational songs.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
