Head Prophet Emmanuel Koradza of the Arise and Shine Mission International, a.k.a Akofafanami, has observed that extreme poverty and hunger are gradually killing rural dwellers in the country.

He said a study, not scientific, indicated that about 80 per cent of rural folks struggle to feed and access healthcare and called on government to intervene without delay.

Prophet Koradza made the observation at a thanksgiving and anointing service to mark the Church’s 40th anniversary at Nyagbo-Gagbefe in the Afadjato South District.

He said rural dwellers are lamenting in silence and it time government “turns its face to people in rural communities”.

Prophet Koradza alleged that government’s social interventions hardly reach small communities and this making life unbearable for people in the countryside.

He explained that many such interventions are often limited to a few privileged individuals and political activists in district capitals with no opportunity for the very poor in the rural areas.

Prophet Koradza said the situation accounts for the high rural-urban migration and called for special social interventions, targeted at people in rural areas to enhance their lot.

Mr Francis Ganyaglo, Deputy Volta Regional Minister called on the Church not to only focus on the spiritual development of its members but also institute social intervention programmes, such as skills training and scholarship schemes to support the congregation.

He said government remains committed to pursue policies and programmes to raise the living standards of the citizenry and called for support from the Church.

Mr Ganyaglo enumerated some roads, health, education, electricity and water projects being undertaken by government in the Region and called for the support of all.

The Deputy Regional Minister made a pledge of GH? 2,000 to the Church.

Madam Angela Alorwu-Tay, Afadjato-South District Chief Executive, also promised to present 50 pieces of mosquito nets and 30 rubber buckets to the Church for use by the inmates at its prayer, deliverance and healing centre.

Mrs Beatrice Adipa, Head of Mission of the Church commended government for its efforts and appealed for a mechanized borehole and a 20-seater toilet facility for the Nyagbo-Gagbefe community.