Let’s exorcise ‘political witchcrafting’ in Africa - Presby Moderator
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Right Reverend Professor Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante has called on Ghanaians and Africans, in general, to do away with what he calls ‘political witchcrafting’ and support the progressive and innovative agenda of sitting governments.
He has therefore called on Ghanaians across the political divide to support the government’s 'Agenda 111’ project as a means to improve healthcare delivery in Ghana.
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‘Agenda 111’ is the construction of one hundred and eleven district, specialized and regional hospitals across the country initiated by the current government.
The Moderator lamented about how some people are opposing the ‘Agenda 111’without thinking through how it will benefit the whole nation and Africa at large.
“My biggest surprise Mr Chairman is given the poverty that we live in, if someone offers to build 111 health centres and hospitals how can some people be angry and oppose such an innovative and progressive agenda”, he said.
The Moderator made the statement at the official opening of the upgraded Assin Praso Presbyterian Health Centre into a Hospital status on Tuesday, August 31, 2021.
The Moderator said it is unfortunate that some Ghanaians allow politics to eat too much into their affairs to the extent that they will bring down and destroy any progressive vision of any government.
This is ‘political witchcrafting’, which I define as any political spirit or agenda that will pull people down or destroy any innovative and progressive ideas for the people of Africa.
According to Rt. Rev. Prof. Mante when he was elected Moderator, he visited the Assin Praso health centre and he was excited about the facility and said to himself that, he would be happy to see the facility upgraded to a hospital by the time he finishes his tenure.
He implored staff of the new hospital to be professional in their work and see their work as a ministry in a Christian context.
The Moderator said the role of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana within the mandate of Jesus is preaching, teaching and healing and therefore would use this mandate to transform society.
He gave a history of the Church as a health care provider in Ghana, added that the Presbyterian Church of Ghana currently has 55 health facilitates making it the third-largest provider of health services in Ghana.
The Executive Director of the Christians Hospital Association of Ghana, Dr Peter K. Yeboah said the association would continue to support the development of the country by helping the churches to establish health facilities in remote areas of the country.
He commended the Presbyterian Church of Ghana as a major provider of health services in Ghana having pioneered the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital as the first Christian Hospital in Ghana.
He said the location of the Assin Praso Presbyterian Hospital would position it as the “Good Samaritan” facility. He called on the Government to continue the strategic partnership of the Church in healthcare delivery in the country.
The Manager of the Hospital, Mr Noah Tetteh in a brief history of the facility said it was started as a Primary Health facility in 1982 and later upgraded to a health centre. He said over the years, the Church through its local and foreign partners managed the health facility and at various points upgraded the facilities.
He said the facility has both male and female wards, children wards, surgical theatre, Outpatient Department and residence of a Medical Doctor and other staff. With a staff strength of one hundred and five professionals, the hospital treats an average of thirty five thousand patients a year.
Present at the functioning were the chief of Assin Praso and Assin Jakai, Nana Owodu Aseku X, and several other chiefs, the Acting District Chief Executive for Assin North, Hon. Ohene Andoh, Member of Parliament for the area Hon. Joseph Quayson, and people from all walks of life.