Mahama commends faith organizations in Ghana

President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday attributed the peaceful co-existence of various faith organizations to the high level tolerance their leaderships had exhibited over the years.

He said: “Ghana upholds the freedom of worship, and the leaders of various faith organizations have over the years tolerated each other, which is why we all co-exist peacefully in this country.”

President Mahama stated this when Leon Kalenga, Catholic Apostolic Nuncio called on him at the Flagstaff House, Kanda.

The Nuncio, who had ended his five-year duty tour of the country, was at the Presidency to bid President Mahama goodbye and to encourage him to work closely with the church in the coming years for mutual development.

President Mahama said the Catholic Church had been instrumental in the socio-economic development of Ghana for so many years, through the frequent interventions in the areas of education, health, water and sanitation and that government would continue to partner them to achieve her development goals.

Also at the Presidency to announce to President Mahama the end of their duty tour of the country were; Rajinder Bhagat, Indian High Commissioner to Ghana and Dr Iyabode Olusamni, Country Director of UNICEF.

President Mahama commended the out-going Indian High Commissioner for his role in influencing the Indian government and private organizations to invest massively in the country.

The President made particular mention of the fertilizer processing plant that was under construction, the revival of the Komenda sugar factory and the Pawlugu Tomato factory among other development projects dotted around the country.

He said Ghana and India had the same traditional bonds and shared same values of democracy and respect for human rights and his administration would work hard to strengthen the relations in other sectors of development.

Nuncio Kalenga reminded President Mahama that as a politician, he should always remember that leaders are chosen by God and he should therefore not forget to glorify God for that mercy and recognition.

He appealed to politicians in Africa to uphold education as a major tool that could ameliorate their plight and enable them to chart the path of progress and development.

Mr Bhagat, the Indian out-going High Commissioner promised that his country would continue to recognize Ghana as a worthy partner and would help strengthen their relations.

Dr Olusanmi on her part commended Ghana for her contribution in the reduction of malaria, guinea worm and other diseases and appealed to the government to channel funds that would be accrued through the removal of fuel subsidies towards the poor and vulnerable in society.

She also appealed to government to step up her sanitation programmes that would completely eliminate open defecation in the country.