By Dorothy Frances Ward
Kumasi, Aug. 30. GNA -President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has pledged his government’s commitment to ensuring that Ghana maintains its reputation as a beacon of democracy in Africa.
He said he would re-enforce this reputation by ensuring that the forthcoming general election in December was conducted in an atmosphere of peace and transparency.
The President was speaking at the 51st Annual and 13th Biennial Conference of the Methodist Church, Ghana, in Kumasi.
The Conference was held on the theme: “Discipleship, Growing into Christian Maturity.”
The President said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government would comply with the total laws of the nation.
“I came out of a peaceful election, and I will leave in a peaceful election, rigging is not part of our DNA,” he emphasised.
The President further assured Ghanaians that the security agencies would be up to their responsibilities, ensuring that the elections were free from violence and intimidation.
He mentioned restructuring of the banking and financial sector, improvement in education and health care, roads and infrastructural development, fight against corruption, good governance, and rule of law, among others, as having upheld the reputation of the government and the nation globally.
Again, the President said the government recognised the contributions of the Methodist Church in the provision of quality education and health in the country and commended the church for its proactive assistance in the control of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said there was no doubt that the legacy of the church would long be endured.
According to the President, the Methodist church had been a symbol of faith, education, and social service.
Nana Akufo Addo encouraged the church to continue its outreach and social services and be an advocate for justice and righteousness, while speaking up against corruption, adding that, the church’s contribution had significantly impacted the nation.
He advised Christians to exhibit the fruit of the spirit and grow in faith.
Most Reverend Dr Paul Boafo, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, called on all eligible voters in the church to go out and exercise their franchise in the December elections.
They must, however, not vote for selfish candidates and not allow themselves to be bought with money to vote.
Most Rev. Boafo urged politicians to desist from attacking personalities during their campaigns, saying, Ghana needed peace during the next elections to guarantee its sustained journey to democracy.
He said the Methodist church continued to recognise discipleship as its focus and the church’s strategic agenda was for revival, transformation, and growth and this was being done in the direction of the mission and vision of the church.
Most Rev Boafo announced the Entrepreneurial Development Programme by the Methodist church with seed money of GHc 200,000 .00 to help the youth acquire skills and create Jobs.
The Methodist Land Policy, he added, would soon be launched to take care of the church’s lands and fight encroachment.
The church had also provided medical health facilities in some remote villages to help rural folks access good health care, adding that the church had lived up to its expectations
GNA