Senya Beraku (C/R), April 26, GNA - The Minister of Transport, Mr Mi= ke Hammah, has called for a closer collaboration between the Church and government, to enhance the rapid development of the country.

Mr Hammah made the call at the 49th Annual Synod of the Winneba Dioceses of the Methodist church at Senya Beraku, in the Central Region. The synod was under the theme "Oneness in Christ: Our Unity and Diversity", and was used to take stock of the past year and build upon th= e successes and achievement, and also remedy the problem areas. Mr Hammah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Effutu, emphasiz= ed the need for all and sundry to contribute their quota to the development of the country, to supplement government's efforts. He said most times "people fail to play their part in the developmen= t of their communities but are quick to blame government for the underdevelopment". Mr Hammah said, "With God on our side we can move forward as a count= ry so am urging Ghanaians to let the Holy Spirit take the lead in all their endeavours, to enable us to develop the nation".

The Rt. Rev. Dr Joseph Kow Ghunney, Bishop of the Winneba Diocese of=

the Methodist Church, called for unity among Ghanaians since "it was only=

through it that we can development nation". The Bishop advised people in high positions, either in the church or= in government, to respect their subordinates, since "they also contribute to=

the development of the nation, regardless of the position they hold. Mrs Rose Ernestina Newman from the Apam Zone was elected by the syno= d as the Lay Chairperson of the Diocese to replace Mr E. K. Osam, whose ten= ure of office expires on September 30, 2010.