Speak against legalisation of prostitution - Bishop

Akyem-Achease, May 5, GNA - The Rt. Rev. Joseph B. Impraim, Diocesan Bishop the Akyem Oda Dioceses of the Methodist Church, Ghana, has expressed concern about calls from some quarters for the legalisation of prostitution and called on Christian women to stand up against the suggestion.

He said at a time when HIV/AIDS was having a "devastating effect" on the human race, it would be dangerous to give licence to women to engage in commercial sex.

Addressing the 19th Annual Synod of the Diocese at the Akyem-Achease on Thursday under theme: "Women in evangelism", he charged Christian women to be serious with their children's education and help their husbands to train them to be God fearing.

He urged the Diocesan Women's Assembly to organize seminars on such topics as the "Domestic Violence Bill" to ensure that church members fully understood the Bill and its implications on family life. The Bishop also called on the Assembly to help ensure that women and children dressed appropriately for various occasions, adding "you should encourage women to be role models for the youth".

Rev. Impraim appealed to members of the Synod to help find solutions to indiscipline and poor performance of children in school in the area.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah, called for concerted efforts from churches to address the problems of some cultural and religious beliefs and practices which were undermining the worth and dignity of women.

"Every efforts must be made to empower and uphold the integrity of women and support them to progress spiritually and mentally", he added. Mr Barimah appealed to church leaders to include HIV/AIDS programme in their church activities, saying some of the activities should also focus on empowering women and re-enforcing values that would support mutual respect and improve communication between women and men.

The chief of Akyem-Achease, Osabirima Gyeni Kenteng, in a speech read for him, commended the Methodist Church for its pioneering role in establishing the local Senior Secondary School.