Join campaign for cancellation of debts, Catholics urge

Kumasi (Ashanti), 6th July 99 -

Participants at a seminar on the social teachings of the Catholic church in Kumasi, have called for the active participation of Catholics in the international campaign for the cancellation of debts owed by poor countries in 2000.

They also called on Ghanaians to ensure that multinational institutions undertaking economic ventures in Ghana do so without exploiting "our resources to the disadvantage of the people".

This was contained in a 11-point resolution adopted at the end of the seminar organised by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace at the Vatican and attended by 200 participants from all the 17 dioceses of the church.

The resolution was signed by the President of the council, the Most Rev. Francois Kavier Nguyen Van Thuan and the Council's Secretary General, the Most Rev. Diamund Martin.

The resolution called on Catholics to work closely with the Churches; agencies and institutions involved in the promotion of justice and peace and make their voices heard whenever the "dignity of a person is compromised".

It called on Catholics to commit themselves to justice and peace in their dealings with their fellow citizens and play active roles in conscientising the people to check against mismanagement of the country's resources through bribery and corruption.

The resolution urged political authorities to regard the citizenry as partners in development and that all development projects must be undertaken with consultation and openness in accordance with the directive principles of the constitution.

GRi?/