By Morkporkpor Anku, GNA
Winneba (C/R), Aug. 21, GNA-The Methodist Church Ghana ( MCG) has joined the National Child Protection to appeal to all religious bodies to work towards safeguarding the child by reporting to the appropriate authorities for action against the culprits.
Most Reverend Dr Paul K.Boafo, the Presiding Bishop of MCG, said reports showed that religious bodies were culprits of either condoning or concealing abuse, violence, and exploitation of children in the name of amicable settlement where the victims never get justice.
The Presiding Bishop made the appeal at opening of the Golden Jubilee and 12th Biennial Conference of the Church in Winneba in the Central Region.
The Conference is on the theme: “Discipleship: Living the Transformed Life in Jesus Christ.” (Romans 21: 1-2).
The Conference is the highest decision-making body of the Church and brings together selected Lay and Ministerial members across the Connexion.
The 2022 Conference is expected to take stock of the Church’s activities since the last Conference held in 2020 and plan towards the ensuing year.
Delegates will also elect a new Lay President to take over from the incumbent, William Orleans Oduro [Esq], whose tenure of office ends in September 2023.
He said there were instances where children had reported sexual and other abuses committed right in the chapels by leaders (clergy, lay, handlers of children) but nothing was done about it.
The Most Rev Boafo said safeguarding/Child Protection Policy was an initiative that helps to protect young people from abuse, violence, and exploitation.
He said the Children’s Ministry Directorate of the Church had been part of the education initiated by the Methodist Church Britain.
“The Directorate has also been part of the seminars and workshops organized by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection on Child Protection on these issues,” he said.
The Presiding Bishop said these programmes had helped to deepen the understanding of children’s rights and strengthened the Church’s capacity to prevent and respond to violence, abuse and exploitation of children.
He said the Church has been commended for being the only denomination who had a Policy on Child Protection.
“This position, therefore, makes it imperative to report on such incidence of child abuse and child protection to the appropriate institutions for redress,” he said.
He said the Youth Development Ministry of the Church had initiated a partnership with the National Theatre of Ghana to train their children and youth who were interested to learn how to play the wind instruments and stagecraft.
The partnership has been finalised with a signing of an MoU with the Theatre.
He said the partnership would help improve the talents and skills of the children and youth who were already into music and stagecraft.
“Those who will gain considerable expertise in these areas can also be employed in these fields of work,” he added.
Awards were presented to deserving members who have contributed to the Church’s growth over the years, including Past Presiding Bishops, Past Lay Presidents, Past Administrative Bishops, and distinguished lay members of the Church in different facets of public and private service.
GNA