Tackle galamsey head-on, improve road network – Rt Rev. Mbeah-Baiden
The Bishop of the Northern Accra Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Right Reverend Andrew Mbeah-Baiden, yesterday called on the government to show its earnest commitment towards the fight against illegal mining (galamsey).
According to him, the extent the menace of galamsey has attained was threatening the existence of the country and eroding the sovereignty of the nation.
“People from other countries can easily enter the country and engage in these illegal practices with impunity and we look helplessly,” he stressed.
Rt Rev. Mbeah-Baiden made the call at the Seventh Annual Synod Thanksgiving Service of the Northern Accra Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana at the Gbawe Circuit, Resurrection Society.
The service which brought together members from the 19 circuits of the Northern Accra Diocese was on the theme; “Discipleship: Growing into Christian Maturity.”
Having commended governments for measures taken so far, he, however, noted that more could be done to curb the menace and improve the country’s river bodies and forest reserves.
“I believe that pragmatic actions taken by the government can go a long way to halt further destruction of our forests and water bodies and ultimately restore these resources to their original state for the general benefit of the nation,” he emphasised.
Touching on road networks, Rt Rev. Mbeah-Baiden urged the government to take measures to improve road infrastructure to enhance road safety in the country.
He asserted that, for the past year concentration of road construction and maintenance had been on the main roads and not on the alternative roads, adding that when these alternatives roads were improved and made accessible to motorists, there would be less traffic on the major roads.
Highlighting on the theme, the Bishop defined Christian maturity as “a process whereby a new Christian develops towards a mature relationship with Christ in which the individual trusts Christ fully, obeys Christ in all things and worships Jesus Christ in spirit and in truth.”
He added that, maturity was not just physical or worldly concept, however, it was a vital aspect of one’s spiritual life, stating that it was a journey, process and a goal an individual must strive to achieve as a Christian.
“Maturity involves understanding and emulating the character of Christ, without maturity, we may be susceptible to deception, false doctrines, and instability in our faith, so it anchors us in the truth of God’s Word,” he said.
To work in line with the strategic objective three of the church, to nurture and promote the active exercise of the spiritual gifts and effective prayer life, Rt Rev. Mbeah-Baiden said there would be two diocesan prophetic prayer conferences annually to educate on the diversities and operations of the spiritual gifts.
Also, he said the diocese would explore the possibility of establishing a children’s camp to embark on a sustained ministry to raise God-fearing young people in the church.
He noted that through the Diocesan Gender, Family and Social Intervention Office, the Diocese would undertake renovation work and provide sewing machines, hair dryers, ovens and cookers to unemployed members to empower them make a living
BY CECILIA YADA LAGBA
