The General Treasurer of the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana, Rev. Dr. Sam Ato Bentil, has called on religious leaders to give practical support to the government’s efforts to eradicate corruption, from the Ghanaian society.
He expressed concern that even though 70 per cent of the population were Christians, corruption and other social vices were on the ascendancy, a situation that he said was adversely affecting national development. Rev. Dr. Bentil has, therefore, exhorted church leaders to use the pulpit and other available platforms to preach against all forms of corruption, particularly acts committed by people in positions of trust. He noted that if corruption was halted, the government could save enough money to undertake development projects across the country.
Rev. Dr. Bentil made the call at the church’s Third Regional Council meeting at Akyem Oda last Friday. The meeting was on the theme: “Manifesting the gifts of the spirit.”
Ordination of new Pastors
Also at the ceremony, three pastors, namely Rev. Jeremiah Adams, Rev. Boniface Keelson and Rev. Reginald Yeboah from the church’s Eastern Region ‘B’ sector, were ordained.
Rev. Dr. Bentil urged religious leaders to muster courage and speak against public servants who embezzled funds from their workplaces or from the national coffers.
Get-rich-quick attitude
The General Treasurer said the get-rich-quick attitude of some Ghanaians formed the basis of corruption and pilfering at their workplaces and must be condemned. He urged the government to tackle the problem of unemployment among the youth in the country with all seriousness in order to allow sanity to prevail in society.
Exemplary lives
Rev. Dr. Bentil advised the newly ordained pastors to live exemplary lives and work assiduously in accordance with the teachings of Christ.
The Eastern Region ‘B’ Superintendent Minister of the Assemblies of God Church, Rev. David Frimpong Boateng, emphasized that Ghana needed people who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to help put an end to corruption which was stifling the growth of the country.
The Queenmother of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, Nana Akua Asantewaa III, called for mutual cooperation between religious bodies and traditional rulers to put nation’s development process forward. “Quite so often, the latter’s activities are considered as heathen and this is not helpful,” she said. She advised the newly ordained pastors to be submissive and be prepared to serve the people.
