Look beyond criticising government's policies

Sunyani, Aug.02, GNA - Mr Kwadwo Agyei-Darko, Minister of State at the Presidency, has advised Ghanaians to look beyond just criticising every policy of the government and analyse the benefits to be derived by all.

He noted with regret that some people had taken the delight in trying to torpedo whatever the government introduced in the interest of all the people, without realising the sanity in the implementation of such policies.

The Minister was addressing members of the Assemblies of God Church at the Brong Ahafo Regional celebration of the church's 75th anniversary in Sunyani.

Mr Adjei-Darko, who is also the MP for Sunyani West, expressed concern about the attitude of some Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to engage in various acts of indiscipline just to discredit the government. "The Bible says indiscipline leads to shame and poverty, so when we just occupy ourselves playing draught or cards the whole day or indulge in frivolous unproductive activities, we shall continue to wallow in poverty as no manna will fall from heavens", he said. The Minister urged Christians and Moslems alike to educate their members and encourage them to work harder to eliminate poverty and squalor by supporting government's policies aimed at improving living conditions in the country.

Mr Adjei-Darko explained that the celebration of Ghana's 50th independence anniversary was not going to be all merry-making as some people would want to believe, saying the 20 million dollars voted for the celebration would capture the construction of jubilee schools, clinics, roads, clinics and other edifices in all districts as memorabilia.

"Those who think the celebration will involve dances, drinking and general merry-making have all misfired because the memorabilia are aimed at helping all Ghanaians to improve their living standards", the Minister said.

Mr Adjei-Darko expressed the government's gratitude to religious organisations for their incessant prayers for peace and harmony to prevail in the country.

He urged Ghanaians to eschew unproductive lifestyles and live modestly to save themselves from unwarranted problems and difficulties, and asked members of religious bodies to lead in the crusade for decent and morally upright lives.

Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, called on members of the church to use their 75th anniversary to reflect on the past to carve a new path towards achieving the mission of the church.

"Christians must stand firm and show stronger faith that the country can only succeed with the continued active collaboration of the church".

He advised them to help improve sanitation in communities with regular clean-up exercises.

The Reverend Emmanuel Kwasi Mensah, the Regional Superintendent of the church, urged members to keep the gospel light burning to spread branches of the church in all parts of the region.