Govt asked to adopt strategic devt plan for north

Kumasi, Oct.7, GNA - The Most Rev.Dr.Robert K. Aboagye-Mensah, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, has called on the government to take advantage of the flood situation in the north and evolve effective strategies to rebuild that part of the country. He said it is during crises that proper rebuilding could take place in any situation and stressed the need for the government, faith organizations, NGO's and individuals to come together to help reconstruct the area instead of allowing the people to settle anyhow on their own.

The Most Rev.Dr.Aboagye-Mensah said this at an induction ceremony of the 13 newly-elected Diocesan lay chairpersons of the Methodist Church at the Wesley Cathedral in Kumasi on Sunday.

He told the Lay chairmen who would be in office for three years and would be assisting in the administration, management for the advancement of the church that their work would be an office of discovery of things. Speaking on the theme; "Walking and Talking, on the Faith Journey", Most Rev.Dr.Aboagye-Mensah said their call was a great and delicate responsibility, a privilege and opportunity which they must use to fulfill the will of God.

He advised them to endeavour to discharge their duties in a way that people of God would be encouraged in the exercise of their diversified ministries in the context of the priesthood of all believers, strengthened in their witness and kept alive to their charge. The Presiding Bishop urged them not only to lead a life worthy of their call with meekness and lowliness, patience and forbearance in love, but also eager to maintain unity of the spirit in the bond of peace and do nothing to mislead the flock of Christ or to violate the harmony of the church.

He exhorted the congregation to give the lay chairmen due honour, and support in their work as servants of Christ and pray for them and their families.

Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, accompanied by Madam Patricia Appiagyei, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive congratulated the lay chairpersons and said there is significance in the position reposed in them.

He said this was the time Satan would subject them to temptations in more religious and humane conduct and advised them to discard those worldly pleasures "because they do not belong to them again". Nana Atwenewa Ampem, Paramount Chief of Tepa Traditional Area who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, appealed to the lay chairpersons to work hard for others to emulate, adding that they should do away with divisions and disunity among members of the Church but should think about how to raise the Church to the glory of God. There were intercessory prayers for the nation, the Head of State and the people in authority. Prayers were also said for the Church, the sick as well as the bereaved and the afflicted.