Let's uproot ills that hinder development -Rt Revd Frimpong-Manso

Thursday, December 24, 2009
THE Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, has called on Ghanaians to demonstrate a high level of commitment towards uprooting activities that hinder the development of the nation.
He said such activities, including bribery and corruption, dehumanisation and marginalisation of people, political incorrectness and greed, were part of some major practices obstructing the development process.
“Let us, as a nation, rise up and build our walls of fellowship, commonality and fellow-feeling to strengthen our welfare systems. We are to contribute our quota towards the building of the political, social, economic and religious walls of our nation,” he stated.
Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso made this remark at a press conference in Accra to deliver his last Christmas and New Year message as a moderator of the Presbyterian Church.
It was on the theme: “Christ, The True Model of Leadership.
Rev Frimpong-Manso urged Ghanaians to reflect on past years and engage in activities that would encourage the youth to contribute to the development of the nation.
He said Ghanaians could do better in developing the nation, if the needed support was generously rendered to each other in all activities.
He added that the rebuilding process of development was a collective task in which all had special roles to play towards the success of the church and the nation.
Rev Frimpong-Manso provoked Ghanaians to reflect on the leadership roles of their various positions and emulate the example of Christ as a model of leadership, who worked to benefit others.
He pointed out that God blessed his people with a peaceful kingdom which needed to be nurtured and developed by its leaders through His spirit to fulfil their leadership mandate for the good of all.
"The world today is facing many challenges which need leaders who will emerge from humble beginnings and yet allow the spirit of God to use them in performing their roles. Let us therefore reflect on the type of kingdoms we are building as leaders," he said.
He further entreated Ghanaians to remember their responsibilities towards the aged, widows, orphans, the needy and the youth as they celebrated the birth of Christ in order to appreciate the vision of Christ that He came for all to have life.
"Of particular concern to me is the ever-increasing numbers of the aged, widows and orphans, who need our material and spiritual support in this time of our lives. Let us create a better welfare system that will take care of the weak and vulnerable in society," Rev Frimpong-Manso added.
He challenged Christians and the public to pray for peace, justice, integrity and righteous living in the new year as the nation prepared for her District Assembly and Unit Committee elections.
Lucy Adoma Yeboah reports that the Archbishop of the Church of the Province of West Africa and Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Accra, Most Reverend Dr Justice O. Akrofi, in a message, has said that the Christmas and the New Year period is time for reflection and for resolving to commit ourselves to important agenda, adding that “for in it shall we find our peace and security”.
He noted that Ghana had been under the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by President John Evans Atta-Mills for about a year and that the excitement of the presidential and parliamentary elections had now given way to reality and sobriety.
“State-building is working at what it takes to have a vibrant and vital nation-state, buoyant economy, good health system, and moral fibre. It is not the task of only the government; it is the task of all of us. Let all of us, no one excluded, commit to working at building a viable, vibrant and vital state,” he stated.
“At this Yuletide, our deepest prayer for this nation is for peace and reconciliation. Ghana is our only home. The painful experiences of Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Sierra Leone should warn us to so behave as not to destroy our nation or dispossess or disinherit anyone,” he added.
For his part, Reverend Derek Amanor, the Resident Pastor of the RoyalHouse Chapel International, wished all Ghanaians God’s blessings, goodwill and peace at homes, at workplaces, among their neighbours and members of the various political parties.
He recalled an earlier message to the church in which he indicated that in the coming year, God was going to favour Ghana with double blessings.
He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to live in peace with one another and work towards national development.
Rev Amanor observed that just as the angels sang when Christ was born, Christmas meant peace on earth and goodwill to all men and urged Ghanaians to ensure that they lived in peace throughout the coming year.