The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Ho West, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, has called for greater collaboration between the state and faith-based institutions for sustainable national development.
Speaking at the 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Lay Movement Council of the Methodist Northern Accra Diocese at Christ the King Methodist Church, East Legon, last Saturday, he said the state and faith-based organisations such as churches had the ultimate responsibility of enhancing the lives of people.
“Though the State and the Church may operate in different spheres, their ultimate mission is closely aligned: to uplift the Ghanaian people—lifting them out of poverty and guiding them onto the path of salvation.”
“The State governs through laws and policies, while the Church nurtures values, discipline and communal spirit through the inspiration of the Holy Bible. Together, they form a partnership that balances material progress with moral renewal,” he said
The AGM was on the theme: “Walking in the Word: Equipped for Every Good Work” and was attended by members of the Lay Movement of the Methodist Church in the Northern Accra Diocese and beyond.
Areas for collaboration
Mr Bedzrah, who is also the Board Chairman of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND), mentioned some of the areas of enhanced collaboration between the state and the church as education, health care and social welfare initiatives.
In the area of education, he said it was important for the church, in partnership with the government, to expand mission schools to ensure that every child had access to quality education.
For health care, he said there was a need for collaboration for the strengthening of healthcare delivery, especially in rural areas, “to ensure that even the most vulnerable, those who cannot afford transportation to the next town, can access treatment and care”
“Social welfare joint initiatives can address poverty, youth unemployment and substance abuse.
The Church and the State must deepen their collaboration to guide our youth away from waywardness and destructive habits,” he added.
He further called for enhanced partnership for a more robust country guided by good governance, faith and compassion to build a prosperous and united country.
Steadfast in God
The Lay Chairman of the Methodist Northern Accra Diocese, Bro. Dr Senyo Adzei, reminded Christians of the need to remain steadfast in God and work hard in advancing the kingdom of God.
He said Christianity was built on unity, faith, love and service and not to sow discord among people, adding that Christians must never see themselves as adversaries, but labourers in the Kingdom of God.
“Let us be clear: every good work does not include sowing seeds of discord or discontent; every good work does not include aggression towards one another; every good work does not include greed or self-interest. Rather, every good work promotes God’s Kingdom, exhibits love toward one another, and leaves room for tolerance through Christ our Lord and Saviour, Jesus the Christ,” he said.
For his part, the Lay President of the Conference of the Methodist Church of Ghana, Bro. Kwesi Attah Antwi, called on the Lay Movement to become a transformative force in national development.
“If we are to see genuine revival, sustained growth, and impactful witness, we must return deliberately and consistently to the Word. Not as readers only but as doers. Not as hearers only but as practitioners,” he said.
