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Don’t be cynical: Ghana can make it — Prez

 

President John Dramani Mahama has urged Ghanaians to do away with cynicism and instead have belief and faith in the ability of the country to achieve massive socio-economic development.

Again, he asked Ghanaians to contribute their quota to the growth of the country, since the development effort was a shared responsibility.

He said all the developed countries and strong economies, such as Japan and China rode on the faith and contribution of their people.

President Mahama made the call at the dedication of the Lord's Temple of the Revival Restoration Centre (RCC) of the Assemblies of God Chcurch at Roman Ridge in Accra on Saturday.

The RCC was established in 1990 by Apostle Dr Alex Nkrumah. The church began in a sitting room in Accra in 1990, with 11 people, and the construction of the temple for the church at Roman Ridge began in 2007.

Ghana making progress

President Mahama said despite the challenges, Ghana had made a lot of progress with an annual average growth of eight per cent.

Following its pace of development, he said, Ghana had been classified as one of the 10 emerging economies in Africa.

Likening the development of the country to the movement of an aeroplane or car, President Mahama said  while passengers in a car or aeroplane did not realise its speed, those outside could see it.

Faith in country

Illustrating further the development process, the President said the growth of a church was similar to that of a nation, where the faith of the members was crucial in its development.

For instance, he said, Japan came out from the ashes of the Second World War and transformed itself into a developed country, while China had also developed within a few decades, all because of the faith of the people in their capacity to make it.

"All the nations made it because their people believe that they can be great and strong. In any country, faith and belief play a role. If any country can make any progress, it is based on the faith and belief of the people," he said.

President Mahama said Ghana was making progress, saying that "God's favour is on us.  We have to be a nation of believers that we can be great and strong.

The President said the leadership could have the vision, but it required the contribution of all to achieve the needed development.

"It can't be only the leader; it is what contribution every single one of us makes," he said.

Challenging year

President Mahama said Ghana experienced challenges of power cuts, market fires, slow economic growth and labour unrests this year. Happily, he said, the power crisis had been solved, while the economy was responding positively.

He, therefore, thanked Ghanaians for bearing with the government in the difficult times.

Touching on the RCC, the President said the fact that the RCC started from a living room, to under a tree, and to a tent to the current temple manifested the glory of God.

For his part, the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana, Rev Dr Paul Frimpong Manso, expressed worry about the creeping indiscipline, arrogance and empty spirituality in churches.

For instance, many people dressed indecently to church, fidgeted with their mobile phones, danced awkwardly, made empty noises and demonstrated arrogance during church service.

Rev. Dr Frimpong Manso said there was the need for Christians to make their singing, worship and demeanour glorify God but not man.

He again asked pastors and priests to work towards uniting their members, and ridding the church of division, tension and partiality.

The General Superintendent said it was important for the leadership of churches to ensure that people experienced divine encounter and solution to their spiritual, physical and emotional challenges.

In his remarks, Apostle Dr Alex Nkrumah, who is the Senior Pastor of the RCC, said the dedication of the temple revealed God's faithfulness in fulfilling his promises on time when people showed commitment to his work.

He said the financial challenges and attacks from opponents that the assembly faced 23 years ago, had turned into a blessing.

Apostle Dr Nkrumah urged members to always think and speak of what they could do through the word of God to move the Kingdom of God forward.

 

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