A pastor of the Church of Pentecost has launched two books designed to offer both spiritual guidance and practical insight to the nation’s youth, whom he describes as being caught in a growing sports betting and gaming crisis.
Reverend Emmanuel Opoku Mensah officially unveiled the books—The Trend of Sports Betting and Gaming Among the Youth: A Christian Apologetics Response and 150 Godly Golden Quotes on Sports Betting—at a ceremony held at the Church of Pentecost, Caprice Worship Centre, in Accra.
The launch, chaired by Elder Professor John Mensah, Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), brought together clergy, youth leaders, parents, and policymakers for a meaningful programme of prayer, testimonies, and reflection on the impact of betting and gaming on young people.
In his remarks, Rev Opoku Mensah, the resident minister of Caprice Worship Center and Youth Pastor for La Area, stated the works were born from a "heavy, persistent burden" after years of witnessing addiction's "devastating effects".
"These are not statistics to me. They are faces. They are names. They are souls created in the image of God, now bound by chains that promise wealth but deliver poverty, that advertise freedom but deliver bondage," he told the gathering.
He painted a stark picture of the problem's scale, noting, "Young people who should be in classrooms preparing for their future are instead huddled around screens, studying odds and fixtures with more dedication than they ever gave to their textbooks." He revealed encounters with students who lost school fees to betting, apprentices who stole from masters, and families torn apart by the habit.
"Someone might ask, 'Pastor, why write about this? Isn't gambling just a personal choice?'" he said. "My dear friends, when a personal choice begins to destroy an entire generation, it ceases to be merely personal it becomes a crisis that demands a prophetic voice."
The books promise a comprehensive exploration of addiction's nature, a biblical perspective on stewardship and self control, practical pathways to freedom, and a call to action for the Church, parents, and policymakers.
Addressing young people directly, the author offered a message of hope. "If you are currently struggling with betting or gaming addiction, please hear me: YOU ARE NOT ALONE, and YOU CAN BE FREE. The first step is acknowledging the problem. The second step is seeking help."
He also called on regulators to act. "The aggressive marketing of betting to vulnerable youth must be addressed. I call on you to use your influence to protect the next generation."
In a description of the books, organisers stated they are designed to offer "clarity, conviction, and hope" by providing a "deeply biblical and practical examination" of why sports betting conflicts with Christian faith. They combine theology, real life experiences and spiritual encouragement to help readers break free or support those struggling.
The event concluded with a prayerful charge from the author: "Lord, let this work not just occupy shelf space but also transform lives... Do not let this book launch be the end of the conversation let it be the beginning."
The launch culminated in a book signing, auction and photo session, marking a concerted effort to equip Ghanaian communities with resources to tackle what many are calling a youth behavioural emergency.
