Don't exploit the vulnerable - Kufuor

Tema (Greater Accra) -- President John Kufuor on Sunday asked Churches not to exploit the weak and vulnerable in the society by feeding on their prejudices.

He said "to lead people to believe that witches caused their difficulties in life is cruel and it is unforgivable to pick on poor, old and frail women and accuse them of witchcraft."

President Kufuor made the call when he addressed the congregation of the Central Assemblies of God Church at Tema Community Four during the induction into office of Reverend William Warabeh Dontoh, as the third General Superintendent of the Church.

He succeeded Reverend Dr Simon Bamanong Asore who held the position for 16 years. Reverend David Charles Vespa, Chairman of the Missionaries for Assemblies of God of West Africa, inducted Rev Dontoh, who joined the church in 1976, into office.

Before his election at the General Council Meeting of the church held at Takoradi, on August 15, this year, Rev. Dontoh was the Greater Accra Regional Superintendent of the church since 1994.

President Kufuor said the church should not play on such weaknesses but live above reproach to enjoy the co-operation and respect of government. He said government had responsibility towards all the citizens and would extend the protection of the law to cover everybody including the poor, old, frail and the voiceless.

"I will urge the churches especially the newly established ones in particular to accept these people as well and not sound as though only the rich matter in the society", he added. President Kufuor said the moral and religious education embarked upon by the church was important but should not be seen in a narrow denominational sense.

He said it should rather be the basis for a realistic and practical education when the church became part of modernising schools by embracing Information, Communication Technology (ICT) in addition to educating the head, heart and mind.

President Kufuor called on the church to educate their congregations on some aspects of discipline in the society such as littering the environment with used iced water sachets, punctuality at work and functions and prompt payment of taxes.