By James Amoh Junior, GNA
Accra, April 5, GNA – The Most Reverend Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, Archbishop and Primate of the Church of the Province of West Africa, has called on Ghanaians to embrace the message of Easter as a catalyst for national renewal, unity and moral transformation.
Delivering his 2026 Easter message, the Archbishop said the resurrection of Jesus Christ offered not only spiritual hope but also a blueprint for rebuilding societies burdened by division, despair and moral decline.
He urged citizens to reflect deeply on the significance of the resurrection and translate its values into actions that promoted national development, peace and collective responsibility.
“The message of the resurrection is clear… to go and spread the message of Christ’s eternal victory over sin, decay and death,” he said, adding that such a message must inspire change beyond the Church into the wider society.
The Most Rev Dr Ben-Smith noted that Ghana, like many nations, continued to grapple with socio-economic challenges, including inequality, corruption and growing public disillusionment, and called on citizens to draw strength from the hope embodied in Easter.
“As Easter people, we are not called to surrender to despair… but to rise with Christ,” he said, urging Ghanaians to remain hopeful and proactive in addressing national challenges.
The Archbishop emphasised the symbolism of the resurrection, which is victory over adversity, and should inspire citizens to reject negativity, injustice and division, and instead work towards building a more just and inclusive society.
He encouraged leaders across all sectors, political, religious and civic, to demonstrate integrity, accountability and servant leadership, noting that national transformation required a shared commitment to ethical values.
The Primate also highlighted the need for a shift in mindset, calling on Ghanaians to move away from excessive materialism and short-term gains, and instead focus on long-term national progress, rooted in discipline, sacrifice and faith.
Using the metaphor of gravity, he explained that many societal challenges were driven by an overdependence on material and earthly concerns, often leading to corruption, greed and moral compromise.
However, he said the resurrection of Christ offered a higher calling, one that urged individuals and nations to rise above such limitations and pursue a life guided by truth, justice and spiritual purpose.
“The law of this earth… associated with mortality, decay and falsehood… has been overcome through the power of the risen Christ,” he said.
The Archbishop called for national unity, saying Ghana’s development could only be achieved when citizens put aside differences and worked together towards a common goal.
Easter, he noted, served as a reminder that even in moments of uncertainty and hardship, renewal and restoration were possible through faith, resilience and collective effort.
He urged religious institutions to play a more active role in national development by promoting values of peace, honesty and social responsibility, while also reaching out to vulnerable groups, including the poor, sick and marginalised.
“This Easter… let us spread this message of hope… especially to those living in fear and darkness,” he said, underscoring the need for compassion and solidarity in addressing societal challenges.
The Archbishop also used the occasion to rally Anglicans and Christians in general to intensify evangelism and discipleship efforts, particularly through initiatives such as “Operation 2036,” aimed at strengthening the Church’s impact in society.
The initiative aligned with the broader need for moral and spiritual renewal within the nation, he said, adding that a transformed citizenry would ultimately lead to a transformed Ghana.
“Go… and make disciples of all nations,” he declared, noting that the call to evangelism was also a call to influence society positively through good deeds and exemplary living.
The Primate urged Ghanaians to embrace the Easter message as a source of strength and direction in their daily lives, reminding them that the resurrection of Christ symbolised hope, renewal and the possibility of a better future.
“Let us choose hope over despair, unity over division, and faith over fear.”
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe