Anglican Bishop calls for religious tolerance

Right Reverend Dr Daniel Sylvanus Mensah Torto, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese, Accra has called for religious tolerance across the various religious groups in Ghana.

He said the world has become a global village with the aid of the advancement of technology and people with different nationality; race or religion could no longer escape living together.

Bishop Torto said this at the opening of the first session of the 22nd Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Accra on the theme: "Stand Firm in the faith."

He said the two dominant religions in Ghana- Christianity and Islam have over the years lived in peaceful co-existence and wondered what has changed in recent times.

"Let us continue to live in peace with each other irrespective of our religious or ethnic differences," he said.

Speaking on governance and its impact on the society, the Anglican bishop urged government to do more to stabilise the erratic power supply, to keep companies and establishments in business.

He said the recent report by the Auditor-General on the public sector revealed poor records in financial management, thereby raising doubts about the government ability to effectively use revenue for intended purposes in the budget.

"It is thus time for our political leaders to seize the initiative and implement reforms to improve public financial management," he said.

He said the church would continue to empower women in skills training including tie and dye and urged the women’s ministry to take such training serious.

He also called on parishes and congregations of the church to endeavour to sponsor teacher trainees who would in turn help teach the children and raise the falling standard of discipline in schools.

The Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, commended Bishop Torto for introducing a number of changes geared towards the advancement of the church.

She said every organisation needs to re-examine and redefine its mission and core values in order to remain relevant and the church has a duty to stay alive to carry on with its spiritual mandate.

"To stand firm in the faith enjoins us as individuals to rededicate ourselves to God by contributing our personal resources, time and talents to build the church in our parishes and congregations. That way we will help strengthen the diocese and support those at the helm of affairs," she said.

Rev Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, General Secretary of the Ghana Christian Council commended the Accra Diocese for its decision to return to the council.

He urged other dioceses across the country to do same.

He said same sex marriage as “unbiblical”, unchristian and unAfrican and should be condemned by all meaningful Ghanaians.