Assemblies urged to ensure proper planning
The Brong Ahafo Presbytery Chairperson of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Reverend Kwadwo Owusu Sarpong, has challenged authorities in towns and urban centres in the country to strictly go by layouts of their areas.
Advertisement
“There is an unfortunate observation that Sunyani and some other big towns in the region will lose their enviable reputation of being described as well-planned and tidy if nothing is done quickly to stem the spate of unplanned order.”
Well-planned regional capital
Rev. Sarpong made the observation when he addressed the 49th annual meeting of the Presbyterian Church in Sunyani. He said it appeared as if it was no longer necessary to plan for our towns and cities.
“We must avoid the example where other city authorities looked on unconcerned for people to build at random and conduct any type of business anywhere with impunity and later spend a lot of time and efforts to eject them.”
Recounting the increasing presence of scrap dealers who paraded the streets of Sunyani, Rev. Sarpong challenged authorities in the municipality to rise up and begin to put things right.
“The time to act is now,” he said and urged municipal and district assemblies in the Brong Ahafo Region to monitor and make sure that the prescribed plans for the regional capital, towns and villages were maintained.
Child maintenance
Rev. Sarpong described as unfortunate the situation where some parents, especially fathers, refused to provide for their children. He said non-maintenance of their children hampered their development and put their lives in jeopardy.
He suggested that Christians and non-christians alike must be sensitised to constantly look after their children.
Other Trending Stories
“I urge the relevant governmental departments and agencies to intensify educational programmes on child maintenance in order to encourage parents to become fully responsible for the upkeep of their children.
He further called for financial support from organisations such as the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Department of Social Welfare in order to reduce the number of neglected children in the country.
Social Services
The Brong Ahafo Presbytery Chairperson said the proposed Midwifery Training School earmarked to be established by the Presbytery at Duayaw-Nkwanta was receiving attention. He said a committee to see to its implementation had been set up as well as one to supervise the refurbishment of facilities at the church’s old vocational institute.
He was full of commendation for the First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama, who donated an amount of GH¢10,000 and GH¢5,000 on behalf of President Mahama towards the construction of the midwifery school project. The church, he said, also presented GH¢10,000 towards the cause.
“Work has started in earnest and it is hoped that the Midwifery Training School will admit its first batch of students by the start of the next year,” he said.