General News of Sunday, 13 June 2004
Source: GNA
Inchaban (W/R) June 13, - GNA - Madam Angelina Baiden-Amissah, Member of Parliament for Shama said constructive criticisms are the only methods of ensuring good governance and change in the economic and social live of Ghanains.
She said the use of abusive language through radio phone-in programmes, insults and other negative utterances, could worsen the peaceful nature of the country and mar the December general elections.
Mrs Baiden-Amissah was speaking at the dedication of a 300 million cedis Mission House for the Saint Paul Methodist Church at Inchaban near Sekondi on Saturday.
The MP stressed that the pending elections should be taken seriously, adding, "no group should refuse to participate in the process".
She said Christians, Politicians, Teachers, Assembly members and Parents are all stewards and should be prepared to account for all their deeds.
Mrs Baiden-Amissah urged parents to take the education of their children seriously, while providing them with good nutrition, housing, clothing and spend more time with them. She stressed that time spent with children would make them grow to become responsible adults and contribute their quota to the development of the nation.
The Right Reverend Kow B. Egyir, Methodist Bishop of the Sekondi Diocese appealed to members of the Church to include periodic maintenance of all Methodist properties, their priority.
He said though the Church has several buildings, schools, and other infrastructure scattered around the country, many of them have been neglected over the years while new ones are being built daily. Bishop Egyir charged all Members of the Methodist Church to participate fully in the forthcoming general elections and avoid being apathetic.
Mr. James A. A. Abadoo-Brew, Diocesan Lay Chairman congratulated the entire Church for their financial contributions towards the project and their selfless sacrifices.
He said any Church that is divided could not achieve anything meaningful and advised members to be united, willing to serve and ready to learn from the elderly.
Mr. Abadoo-Brew said that the Church needs more Reverend Ministers, leaders, local preachers and evangelists and appealed to individuals with such gifts to take up leadership roles in the Church. Rev. Lewis Smart-Asare, Minister in-charge said the Church's first mission house was built in 1945, but it could not last and subsequent ministers have had to live in rented premises.
He said the six-bedroom house took four years to complete, while members of the Church made all the financial contributions. Rev. Smart-Asare advised the youth to re-dedicate themselves to God and work hard for the expansion of the church.
He said though a new mission house has been built, its purpose would be defeated if members failed to live in peace with each other adding, "God dwells in a peaceful environment and we must all ensure that we create such an environment in our church and community".