Give equal attention to other environmental issues. Methodist Church tells government
The Bishop of the Accra Diocese of the Methodist Church, Rt Rev. Samuel Kofi Osabutey, has asked the government to move beyond the fight against galamsey and focus on other environmental issues affecting the country’s growth.
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He said although the fight against galamsey was commendable, there was the need for the government to give the same attention to other environmental issues, particularly sand winning.
At the Opening Session of the 56th annual Synod of the church in Accra yesterday, Rt Rev. Osabutey said environmental issues such as sand winning posed a massive threat to the country’s development agenda.
“It is time to take a look at all the various activities that destroy our environment. Galamsey is a major issue in other regions, but when you come to Accra, our biggest issue is sand winning,” he pointed out.
This year’s Synod was on the theme: “Go and make disciples of all nations: Rekindling the Methodist evangelical heritage for church growth”.
Some of the personalities who attended the event were the immediate past Vice-President, Mr Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, and the Minister for Communications, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.
Church ready
Rt Rev. Osabutey said the Methodist Church was ready to partner the government to address all the developmental challenges confronting Ghana’s growth.
Over the past years, he said, the church had, in different ways, extended its assistance to address some challenges in the country.
“This year, the church will launch a project to help address buruli ulcer which has become a major issue in Ghana,” he said.
Touching on some of the projects the church intended to embark on this year, he said it was ready to expand assistance to more needy, brilliant students through its Educational Fund.
Rt Rev Osabutey said the church was in the process of acquiring large tracts of land to undertake some projects which would benefit its members and the entire nation.
He, therefore, called on the members of the church to be ready to assist the government to develop the country.
Support
In an address delivered on his behalf, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Ishmael Ashitey, called on churches to help the government improve the sanitation situation in the country.
He said although the government was focused on addressing the sanitation challenges, there was the need for churches to use their platform to educate their members on the benefits of keeping their environment clean.
Mr Ashitey said his office was ready to open its doors to all churches since, without their support, the fight against environmental issues would not be effective.
For her part, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful, stressed the need for churches to spread the Gospel to the unsaved world and not limit it to their members.