Bishop calls on Christians to fight against ethnicity in society

Obuasi-Anyinam (Ash), Feb. 28, GNA - The Right Reverend Benjamin K. Asare, Bishop of the Obuasi diocese of the Methodist Church, on Sunday urged Christians to lead the fight against ethnicity, which is gaining currency in the country. "Even in the church, this ethnical sentiment is rearing its heads in the various societies as some people do not want other group to join them", he said.

Bishop Asare made the call when he inaugurated the new Anyinam circuit of the church at Obuasi-Anyinam. The new circuit, which has 12 societies, was carved out of the Obuasi Circuit. The Methodist Bishop noted that in Christianity, there is nothing like tribalism or ethnicity and therefore, reminded the church of the need to erase all forms of tribal instincts and rather unite to glorify God.

The Rt. Rev Asare appealed to the congregation, especially the parents to ensure that they embraced the girl-child education campaign. He regretted that the society was not giving the needed recognition to women, condemning Christian, men who beat their wives. Bishop Asare reminded the new circuit that, the church was a factory of sins and that it was the responsibility of the members to turn sinful souls to become Christians.

The first Superintendent Minister of the circuit, the Very Rev Kwabena Osei-Owusu, said as part of the vision of the circuit, five more societies would be established, whilst work on a one billion-cedi chapel would be vigorously pursued. He advised the members not to be content with what they had achieved so far, but should work harder, since the circuit was at its infant stage. "I am appealing to the circuit members to be submissive and also teachable so that together we can achieve more", Very Rev Osei-Owusu said.

Nana Owusu Aduomi II, the regent of Akrokerri, who was the guest of honour, appreciated the growth of the Methodist Church over the years as he recounted the situation in 1944, when few worshippers were found in the churches. He pointed out that the inauguration of the circuit posed a number of challenges to the members, which needed steadfastness and loyalty to serve God. Giving the brief history of the new circuit, Brother Asafo Adjaye-Mensah, the first circuit steward, praised four past Reverend Ministers and a number of lay members for the role they played, which led to the elevation.

The Obuasi Circuit, which gave birth to the new circuit, donated 10 million cedis and an Opel Vectra saloon car, whilst Nana Aduomi donated five million cedis.