Kumasi, April 11, GNA - The Asante Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), on Saturday opened its 88th Presbytery Conference in Kumasi, with a call on the General Assembly to improve on the conditions of service of church employees. Reverend Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, Chairperson of the PCG, said the employees including the clergy as well as secretaries, drivers and security men lacked the required motivation to offer their best or put their expertise at the disposal of the church due to the low remuneration they receive. "The situation had compelled some members not to render professional services to the church which is hampering the accelerated growth of Presbyterianism," he observed.
The five-day conference is on the theme: "Let Us Rise Up and Build." The Presbytery will take stock of its past activities and plan ahead to ensure the development of the church at all levels. Rev. Opuni-Frimpong said motivation of the employees would influence productivity.
He challenged the Presbytery to work assiduously to protect the property of the church, saying: "In the worst scenario, there have been instances where buildings, lands, vehicles and other property belonging to the church had been taken over by some agents or members of the congregation."
Rev. Opuni-Frimpong said it was about time that the church revisited the proposed five-year Endowment Fund of the Presbytery, which was suspended two years ago.
The Fund, he said, was crucial in the development agenda of the church as proceeds from it could be used in building more schools, churches and expand existing facilities. The Rev. Ernest Odame- Asare, Clerk of the Presbytery, urged members to work within the confines of Presbyterian principles to help retain the image of the church. The Reverend Asamoah-Prah, Minister in- charge of the Atonsu Presbyterian Church, which is hosting the Conference, expressed optimism that the event would go a long way to develop the church especially in the area of evangelism to increase its membership.
