Be different and expose corruption - Aliu tells Christians

Accra, May 19, GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama on Thursday encouraged Christians not to just despise corruption but also expose perpetrators as part of their contribution towards nation building.

He said in an era where morality was fast declining Christians must dare to be different in consonance with their tenets and resist temptations to follow the appealing track of wrong doers. Vice President Mahama was opening the 35th Session of the General Council of Meetings of the Church of Pentecost at the Pentecost University College at Sowutuom in Accra.

Delegates from over 50 countries and every part of Ghana are attending stocktaking and agenda setting meetings under the theme: "Excelling in the Demonstration of the Power of God." Vice President Mahama commended the Church for its social work to society but cautioned members against the dereliction of their primary responsibility of evangelisation and safeguarding God's standards for man.

"You are all aware that we live in a time when issues of God and Godliness are suffering the greatest opposition ever. "If the Church were to build schools, hospitals, universities and provide us with all we needed but allowed souls to perish, we would score nothing in the record of God."

The Vice President assured the Church of the Government's support in both its missionary work and social responsibility activities. In response to a request that the link road to the Pentecost University College be rehabilitated and extended to the Ofankor barrier, he announced that the process for the award of contract was in progress and expressed the hope that work would soon start.

Apostle Dr. Michael K. Ntumy, Chairman of the Church, pledged members' commitment to fight indiscipline in all spheres of life. He, however, urged the Government to strengthen enforcement of laws and provide the requisite structures that would make the Campaign for Greater Discipline succeed.

For instance, Apostle Ntumy said, it should be obligatory for fuel station to provide toilet facilities to serve the needs of commuters in towns, while cameras could be installed at traffic lights to capture traffic offenders.

Apostle Ntumy also advised Ghanaians not to allow tribalism and politics to destroy the unity and progress of the nation. He explained that having political strongholds was normal but it was wrong for those in those areas to take entrenched positions along tribal lines after elections to destroy political rivals. The Council honoured 88-year-old Madam Eunice Addison and 66-year-old Madam Eunice Johnson for creating many songs over the years to aid the Church's work.

The ladies showed their gratitude by demonstrating their talents to the thrilled assembly, including the Vice President, who danced to the soul-moving tunes.

The Church's hymnal in Twi and Fante was also launched with members making generous payments for copies.

Representatives of Churches from around the world, delivered fraternal messages that focused on the need for effective evangelism, Church-State relations and meeting social, political, cultural and religious challenges.

Pastor James Mc Keown founded the Church of Pentecost some 50 years ago. The Church has over one million members with 9,296 congregations. It supports over 100 educational institutions, hospitals and clinics.