President Mills meets Clergy over issues of national interest
President John Evans Atta Mills has underlined the need for an effective State and Church collaboration to address issues of national importance for the benefit of the nation.
He expressed appreciation to the clergy and the Christian community for their participation in this year’s national week of prayer and thanksgiving as well as their prayer support.
President Mills made the remarks prior to a close door meeting with the clergymen from across the Christian community at the Peduase Lodge to discuss concerns of national interest.
The President said he was impressed with the attendance at the climax of this year’s national prayer and thanksgiving service, and expressed the hope for a greater participation next year.
Issues expected to be discussed include concerns on national security, the intra and inter-party polarisation, moral values and the resurgence of politics of insults on the national scene.
According to Mr Koku Anyidoho, Head of Communications at the Office of the President, President Mills impressed on the clergy to continue to be the conscience of the nation and to let their voices be heard on national issues.
Mr Anyidoho said the President also listened to the clergy on their suggestions on governance.
In a welcome address, the Rev Dr Nii Amo Darko, Member of the Council of State, said the Church had a strong role in nation-building.
He said society thrived when the family, the Government and the Church played their roles well and also called for a stronger and more effective church and state collaboration for rapid national development.
With examples from the Bible where the State and Church had collaborated for the benefit of the nations and their allies, The Rev Dr Amo Darko said there were modern examples also of nations that had benefited when the Church teamed up with the State in addressing national concerns.
Some of the clergy present at the meeting, which was at the invitation of the President, were The Rev Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, outgoing Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana; The Rev Dr Fred Deegbe, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, The Rev Dr Seth Ablorh of the Manna Mission, The Rev Dr Robert Ampiah-Kwofie of the Global Revival Ministries; Archbishop Duncan Williams Of the Action Faith Ministries; The Rev Dr Christie Doe-Tetteh of Solid Rock Chapel International; and Rev Tackie Yarboi of the Victory Bible Church.
There were representations from the Christian Council of Ghana, the Catholic Bishops Conference, the Ghana Pentecostal Council, the Charismatic Christian Association and the Independent Churches Association of Ghana.
Some Government officials present were Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, Minister for Employment and Social Welfare, and Mr Alex Segbefia, Deputy Chief of Staff.
Source: GNA