We will re-open discussions on handing over mission schools — Mahama

Former President John Mahama has pledged to re-open discussions of giving back the management of faith-based schools to religious bodies to run when he is re-elected in the December 7 elections this year.

He added that he would also collaborate with the Church to support technical and vocational training institutes that are being managed by them to provide skills for the youth.

“It is not an accident that most often, the best 20 performing SHSs are all faith-based and mostly Catholic schools.

“In this context, I notice the Church’s desire to bring some closure to the issue of the management of such schools as tabled in a draft memorandum of understanding during my tenure as President. I look forward to reviving and bringing closure to the MoU,” Mr Mahama said.

The former President, who is the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 elections, was speaking at the 10th National Sacred Heart of Jesus Congress and the Golden Jubilee celebration of the National Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Centre in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital.

It was on the theme: “National sacred heart of Jesus enthronement centre, Ghana @ 50: Building a synodal church, the role of the sacred heart of Jesus devotional practices by the Catholic family.”

The former President was accompanied by his Campaign Manager, Prof. Joshua Alabi; Julius Debrah, his former Chief of Staff; the NDC Northern Regional Chairman of the NDC, Adolf John Ali, and the immediate former Minority Leader and MP for the Tamale South Constituency,  Haruna Iddrissu.

Resettling nation

Mr Mahama further said that when re-elected, he would not only be a humble, honest, accountable and a committed servant, but a President who would ensure the country was re-set for accelerated development and improvement of lives.

“From the lessons the Lord shared with us in Matthew, humility and honesty are very important in a leader.

“There will be tough times in the next four years, given how recklessly deep our country has sunk in so many ways. But with God on our side, backed by the Ghanaian spirit of endurance and hard work, we will make much progress,” he said.  

Mr Mahama said that the NDC had a clear, pragmatic and workable plan for the nation to achieve progress under his leadership.

“Immerse yourself in our Manifesto — “Resetting Ghana: Jobs, accountability and prosperity,” a product of the very thoughts, ideas and aspirations from citizens themselves, and which offers a blueprint for us to collectively achieve the Ghana we want,” he said.

The former President accused the NPP government under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of using power for self-glorification and gratification, with arrogance and callousness, which he said had led to the ultimate disintegration of the moral fabric of the society.

Advice

Preaching the Homily, Most Rev. Peter Paul Angkyier, Bishop of the Damongo Diocese, advised Christians against corruption, which he said had become a canker that ate into the fabric of the society, depriving the people of the needed resources to make their lives better.

He urged them not to shy away from politics, but be active to ensure that as true followers of Christ, they would be more influential in shaping and changing the fortunes of the country towards the right direction.

The leadership of the Church prayed for President Mahama and his entourage for successful campaigning and victory in the forthcoming elections.

Consecration

Ghana was consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1957, with the first President of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, in attendance at the Holy Spirit Cathedral where the consecration took place.

The national enthronement centre has the mandate to, among others, organise a national congress every 5 years to spread the teachings of Christ, promote the spiritual growth and development of members and also provide catechetical instructions on the social teachings of the church, based on faith, morals and ethics.