By Dennis Peprah
Sunyani (Bono), June 1, GNA – The Right Reverend Dr Festus Yeboah Asuamah, Anglican Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese, has urged traditional authorities to remain faithful, serve with humility, and prioritise the holistic development of their communities.
As embodiments of the people, he said chiefs and queens were not only custodians of land but also key partners in national progress and sustainable development.
Rt Rev. Dr Asuamah gave the advice during a durbar of chiefs, queens, and schoolchildren in Sunyani held to climax the 10th anniversary celebration of the St Anselm’s Child and Youth Development Centre (CYDC).
The Diocese, in partnership with Compassion International, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), established the CYDC to support vulnerable and underprivileged children in society.
Rt Rev. Dr. Asuamah highlighted the critical role of chiefs and queens in sustaining national peace and stability and urged them to avoid actions and tendencies that could jeopardise peace and progressive development.
He emphasised that peace remained a prerequisite for national advancement and appealed to traditional authorities to champion development initiatives in their communities.
The bishop also urged the youth to respect the elderly and contribute meaningfully to community development.
He said that as future leaders of the country, young people ought to channel their energies into productive activities, noting that government, the Church, and traditional authorities were working together to build a better society for all.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Asuamah appealed for support towards the upkeep of children at the CYDC and highlighted the Diocese’s continued commitment to their proper upbringing and development.
Earlier, in a welcome address, Mr Duodu Bimpong, Director of the St Anselm’s CYDC, said the Centre currently caters for 260 children, some of whom are undergoing employable skills training, while others are preparing to enter Senior High School.
He said the Centre required an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory and a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) laboratory to enhance its training programmes.
Mr Bimpong explained that the TVET laboratory would support practical training for children pursuing skills in dressmaking, hairdressing, pastry production, artwork, tiling, and barbering.
He expressed confidence that the establishment of the ICT and TVET laboratories would better equip the children for the future and appealed to the government, corporate organisations, and philanthropists to support the initiative.
Mr Bimpong also expressed appreciation to Compassion International and the Diocese for their continuous support towards the holistic development of the children.
GNA
Edited Audrey DekaluÂ
Reporter: Dennis PeprahÂ
[email protected]Â