University of Ghana holds All Souls Day

Accra, Nov. 8, GNA - The Reverend Dr. Yaw Ofei Akrofi, Anglican Bishop of Accra, at the weekend urged Christians not to be afraid of death since it was a natural certainty, but to have Christ and live a life worthy of emulation. "Life without Christ is a hopeless end, and life with Christ is an endless journey", he added. The Rev. Akrofi made the statement in Accra at an inter-denominational service for departed members of the University of Ghana community.

He said the University had set aside the first Sunday of November each year to hold an inter-faith service to remember past and present students, alumni and friends of the University community. Rev. Akrofi said death was an end of the mortal call and that Christians should remember that, "we would give an account of what we did on earth".

"When we reflect on these points thoroughly then there should be no course to be afraid of death since it is inevitable", he added. He urged all and sundry to be united and be at peace with one another, take the opportunity to have a sober reflection of their lives and amend some of the pitfalls that undermined their plans. The Reverend Dr. S. Asuming-Brempong, Chairman of the Chaplaincy Board of the University, said the first All Soul's Day which took place on November 5, 2006, grew out of the service held in remembrance of the late Chancellor of the University, Nana Oyeeman Wereko Ampem ll, in March 2006.

He said since then the service had been held on an annual basis with different preachers from different churches. The Rev. Asuming-Brempong said since the All Soul's Day was inter-faith, Muslim prayers were also incorporated into the service and that this year, two days were set aside to remember departed members with one by the Muslim community on the first Friday of November and the other on the first Sunday of the same month. He said the offerings taken at the service had so far been used to support needy but brilliant students registered with the University's Financial Aid Office.