Christian scholars advised to contribute to national devt.
The Rector of the Akrofi-Christaller Institute, Dr B.Y. Quarshie, has challenged Christian intellectuals to contribute meaningfully to the development of the nation.
Delivering a lecture as part of activities to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Adentan District of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Accra, Dr Quarshie admonished them to learn from past intellectuals who laid down their lives for the service of Ghana.
He spoke on the topic: “Contribution of the Christian Intellectual to nation building: the case of Ghana.”
Contribution of intellectuals of old
According to him, the old Christian intellectuals contributed meaningfully to development in the areas of health, economy and education. He particularly mentioned Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President who was a theologian, together with the other members of the ‘Big Six’ who served the nation to the best of their abilities.
“Today, when Nkrumah’s name is mentioned across the globe, everyone knows his contribution to Ghana and the African continent,” he said and added that intellectuals of today must learn from that.
Dr Quarshie also extolled the works and services of late President John Evans Atta Mills, Prof. Charles Easmon, the first Dean of the University of Ghana Medical School, Prof.
Alexander Adum Kwapong and Prof. Daniel Adjei Bekoe, former chairmen of the Council of State who were all Christians, for their immense contributions towards the development of the nation.
Currently, he said, there were scholars such as Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who were contributing their quota to national progress, and challenged scholars to provide ideas which could solve problems in the Ghanaian society.
He advised them to avoid unhealthy competitions which had the tendency to undermine the peace and unity in the nation and stressed that, “Christian intellectuals must work with groups from other religious bodies; they must build bridges rather than destroy them”.
Purpose of lecture
In an interview, the Adentan District Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Nii Armah Ashittey, said the lecture formed part of the church’s contribution to the debate on issues that affected the general well-being of Ghanaians.
He added that it also commemorated the anniversary celebration of the church and noted that various activities had been earmarked for the celebration throughout the year.
