Speaker prays for divine intervention in present difficulties

Accra, April 28, GNA - The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Daniel Francis Annan on Friday prayed for God's intervention in the difficulties the country is going through.

He also appealed to Churches to intensify prayers for absolute peace saying churches cannot play their role effectively in an unsuitable and undesirable environment.

Mr Justice Annan made the call at the opening of the 39th annual synod of the Accra Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana, in Accra. The five-day synod is on the theme "Moving the church forward in the year 2000 and beyond." About 230 participants from the 18 circuits are attending it.

Mr Justice Annan said due to the unique position the church occupies and the roles it plays in national development, there is no need for the church to dissipate energies on needless confrontations between the church and the state. He urged the church to join the crusade against corruption, HIV/Aids, broken homes and criminal activities.

The Speaker commended the efforts by the Methodist Church to establish an university and called on societies within and outside the church to support it to make the dream a reality.

Mr Annan expressed satisfaction with the compromise between the churches and traditionalists on drumming and noise making during rituals for the Ga Homowo festival.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Joshua Alabi urged Christians to refrain from apathy towards national development. He said Ghana needs peace and this calls for a concerted effort by the church and the public.

Dr Sam Prempeh, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, in a message, reiterated the need to return mission schools to the churches for effective administration, moral standards and academic discipline and excellence.

The Rt. Reverend Samuel Hodasi, Accra Bishop of the Methodist Church, called on the Internal Revenue Service to clarify the controversy on the payment of taxes by the churches.

"As far as the Methodist Church, Ghana is concerned, our Ministers and other church agents pay taxes on their stipend which element is deducted at source and duly paid to the Internal Revenue Service."