The obligation of the Ministry of Forestry and Land Reclamation, is to deal with soil degradation to retain the country's former condition while at the same time proving unemployment communities with short-term jobs.

Land degradation is caused by the public members by heaving overgrazing pastures and cutting down trees without replacing them hence a need for public to be taught about protection of environment.

The Prime Minister Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili, who was accompanied by the Minister of Forestry and Land Reclamation Mr. Ralechate ‘Mokose led five hundred Cyprus tree planting at Ts'akholo last Saturday.

Speaking during the Christ Ambassador Conference held at T’sakholo High School, the Prime Minister commended Christ Ambassador for well-done job in various categories since its inception in 1978.

He said Christ Ambassador Youth Association has brought a great difference in changing lives of youth by providing them with leadership and life saving skills so that they establish their own projects for the improvement of their future.

The Prime Minister did not completed his speech without encouraging youth to abstain from premarital sex and wait until they are married as God himself has plan that sex should be practiced by married persons only.

He said youth together with their parents should strive for fighting against HIV/AIDS to decrease high numbers of the infected in the country.

Mr. Mosisili said it is time for parents to discuss HIV/AIDS facts with their children so as to control the pandemic that he said still stand as a major challenge facing the whole country.

Speaking at the same occasion, the Chairperson of the Assemblies of God Church, Reverent Gift Ngaka Nt’sonyana thanked the Prime Minister for joining Christ Ambassador at their 30th anniversary.

He said the Christ Ambassador has achieved its goal of building oneness among the youth and provide them with various skills that include leadership so that they grow knowing how to do things for themselves.

On the other hand the Christ Ambassador Chairperson, Mr. Tebello Moiloa said youth in this church are participating in various developmental activities of their lives that include behavioral change.

He said their association promotes good behaviour among youth so that they will be in a position to defeat the battle against HIV/AIDS, which is the most enemy of the country and hindrance to economic growth.

Christ Ambassador is a youth department in the Assembles of God Church that encourages youth to participate in dissemination of good news.

Five hundred Cyprus trees were planted during the occasion, where chiefs, Member of Parliament for Thaba-Phechela constituency, Principal chief of Tebang, community councilors and congregation of the Assemblies of God from various places in the country and internationally attended.

Source: LENA 14/07/2008