Clergyman wants poverty eliminated

Somanya, Oct 28, GNA - Professor Emmanuel Martey, the Ga Presbytery Chairman of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, has called on leaders of the country to fight poverty, which has engulfed some societies. He observed that poverty has rendered some people vulnerable and asked the Church to provide spiritual guidance for the people for national leadership to emulate.

Prof. Martey was preaching the sermon at the thanksgiving ceremony, organised to mark the installation of Right Reverend Albert Ofoe Wright as the Bishop for the Somanya Diocese of the Methodist Church- Ghana. He observed that as the general elections drew nearer, many politicians continued to promise solutions to problems facing the people but "the ability to empower the weak depends on the leadership of the church".

Prof. Martey told Rt. Rev. Weight that poverty and other problems existed in the Somanya area and the people would expect him to provide spiritual leadership. Prof. Martey reminded the new Bishop that the Church was committed to empowering the weak and fighting against poverty to ensure peace and harmony.

Rt. Rev. Wright called on the Church to support him to help fight poverty and other problems in the area.

He said his mission was to "enhance sharing of the love of God and material resources among people especially the poor, marginalized and disadvantaged for peaceful and mutual co-existence". Bishop Wright commended the Church for elevating him to the new position and urged the members to support him achieve his objectives. He was called into the Ministry in 1972 and rose through the ranks to become the last Secretary of Conference and the first Administrative Bishop of the Methodist Church-Ghana.

Those who attended the ceremony included the Most Rev. Dr Samuel Asante Antwi, past Presiding Bishop of the Church, Mr Ato Essuman, past Lay President and Member of the Council of State, and Mr E.T Mensah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo Prampram and many members of the clergy.