Rev. Enoch Thompson: National Cathedral project must be embraced by all

The Vice-President in charge of Ministries of the Ghana Baptist Convention (GBC), Rev. Enoch Thompson, has indicated that anything that will promote Christianity in Ghana, including the construction of a National Cathedral, must be embraced by all.

Speaking to journalists in Tema, after a thanksgiving service to climax a year-long 50th anniversary celebrations of the First Baptist Church, Rev. Thompson said looking at the contribution of the Christian religion towards the socio-economic development of Ghana over the years, any project that would provide space for Christians to come together in big numbers was a worthwhile project that must be embraced by all.

“To that extent, we will side with those who will put effort and resources together to bring about the vision of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to build a National Cathedral,” he stressed.

Christianity, Rev. Thompson said, had been one of the transforming factors in the development of Ghana and observed that many people in politics, science, education, agriculture and all aspects of social life could trace their roots to Christian schools.

Agent of transformation

He said the church had been a transforming agent, contributing to the development of the moral character of people and impartation of knowledge, hence anything that would provide them with a place of worship must be supported.

While acknowledging that there were other pressing national issues that deserved attention and resources, Rev. Thompson argued that “there are and will always be pressing needs be they medical facilities, schools, etc but the role of religion and for that matter Christianity cannot be side-stepped.”

“If we do not have people with a godly character to bring about the production of quality schools and hospitals, then monies that are voted for the provision of hospitals and schools will be misused,” he said.

Rev. Thompson said when Christianity was given a sound footing such that it was able to help people find their moral compass then the nation’s developmental concerns would also be addressed.

He emphasised that churches continued to establish schools, hospitals and other social infrastructure which the government should have been doing so they found nothing wrong with the government contributing to church growth by helping to construct a cathedral for national purposes.

Commendation

Rev. Thompson congratulated the First Baptist Church on its anniversary and indicated that since its establishment the church had contributed to the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ and helped transform the lives of people, turning them into useful citizens.

He said the church had contributed to the development of human capital for the nation and congratulated its members on that feat.

The Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Reverend David Kwame, said the anniversary had afforded the congregation the opportunity to do more evangelism and had also encouraged members to be more committed to the work of the Lord.

Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh