‘Be diligent in management of resources’

The Host Minister of the Riis Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Gbawe, Rev. Patrick Adjei, has urged people in leadership positions not only to be committed to their duties but must also be diligent in the management of public resources. He also admonished them to avoid greed, nepotism and the insatiable quest for wealth at the expense of the poor majority.

“We should, as Ghanaians, realise that people toiled to get the country where it is today. We must also do more to sustain what has been done. The tendency where people get into public office and want to have everything to themselves and their families is killing us,” Rev. Adjei indicated.

He was speaking at a sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of the Rev.  Andreas Riis Memorial Hall, a three-storey office edifice for the church in the area.

Ceremony

The ceremony climaxed a week-long of activities in memory of Rev. Andreas Riis, who laid his life for the establishment of the Presbyterian faith in the country. It was on the theme, “Perseverance in Mission Results in Blessings” (James 1:12).

The project, estimated to cost       GH¢ 1.3 million, would be completed within three years. It will be financed through internally generated funds of the church. It comprises offices, an auditorium, a car park, a seminar room and a junior youth hall.

Sermon

The Clerk of the Ga Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. William Korley Quaye, asked the congregation and the public to develop the spirit of perseverance in all their endeavours to guarantee triumph.

He made reference to the lives of Nehemiah and Daniel in the Bible and asked the people to rise above their respective challenges and move forward in life.

“To persevere, it is incumbent on all individuals to be time conscious, sharpen their leadership skills through mentorship, know the value of the gospel, and always strive to sustain what has been done,” he further indicated.

The Finance Director of the memorial week celebration, Mr Prince Ofosu, said as part of the activities for the week, the church donated clothing, detergents, bags of rice, cooking oil, and other assorted items to the Weija Leprosarium.

Background

The Riis Presbyterian Church at Gbawe was established 30 years ago and named after Rev. Andreas Riis, a Scottish missionary  who played a pioneering role in the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in the country.

The church has a membership of about 500 people, with 150 children and 50 junior youth members.