The Christian Council of Ghana is calling on the Government, Religious Leaders, Traditional Authorities and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to assiduously work at building public confidence in the people they lead or represent.

We live in times where the standards of living of most Ghanaians are deteriorating. In these very challenging moments where prices of goods and services are sky-rocketing due to the continuous hikes in fuel and utility prices and the depreciation of the Cedi without a commensurate improvement in wages, most Ghanaians are losing confidence in themselves and their leaders.

The recent media reports about people committing suicide - some in churches, and demonstrations by citizens in some parts of the country against the current economic hardships are testament to the fact that, public confidence is fast fading.

The Council is of the opinion that, with the current trend of events, coupled with the fact that most Ghanaians are losing hope, there is an urgent need for our leaders to begin to take concrete steps to restore confidence in the people they represent.

In this vein, as an ecumenical body, we are of the view that, Churches in the country must actively be seen restoring confidence in their members by echoing their struggles and pains for the needed solution.

It is time for Churches to actively show interest in national issues and articulate the concerns of their people and journey with them in finding solutions to the numerous challenges that confronts them.

In as much as it is important to continue to pray for our constituents, communities and country, we must begin to genuinely show concern about their plights, and be committed in helping them find solutions.

Churches must also provide resources and assistance to their members and communities in challenges. They must be willing to support families whose livelihoods are threatened and give hope to the hopeless. If people are looking for hope and support, the Church must be the first point of contact, and do so as Jesus would have done.

The Council is of the view that Churches must not sit on the sidelines and watch its people confront their challenges alone, but feel their hurt and engage in efforts at dealing with their challenges.

In the same vein, we also call on CSOs and Traditional Authorities to also support the people they represent and share in their difficulties.

In these difficult times, we call on Government to go beyond just listening to the concerns of Ghanaians, but act on those concerns with lasting solutions. At this point, words of assurance from Government are not enough, but prompt and timely solutions that will bring relief to Ghanaians are what Ghanaians want to see, feel and experience.

We admonish everyone with 1 Thessalonians 5:14, which reads; “Now we exhort you, brothers and sisters, warn them that are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward everyone.”

S.G.D

Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong

General Secretary