Prez calls for collective efforts for national growth

President John Dramani Mahama has called for the collective efforts of Ghanaians to advance national growth.

He said Ghana had not been condemned to poverty as some sought to portray, adding that a united effort from Ghanaians would see accelerated growth.

He was speaking at the 50th anniversary of the Brong Ahafo Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana  ( PCG) in Sunyani last Saturday.

Hundreds of church members and other well wishers turned up for the celebration, which was on the theme, " 50 yesrs of transforming society through Christ."

Cynicism 

President Mahama expressed concern about cynicism on the part of some people, a development which, he said, was counter-productive.

He said some people had misconstrued what he said about cynicism last year as an attempt to run away from criticism.

In his 2015 New Year message and at a ceremony to commission the preparation of a long-term national development plan for Ghana for the period of 40 years (2018-2057) last year, President Mahama stated that self-doubts and cynicism could not help the nation's progress.

His opponents believed that the comments were an attempt to run away from criticism.

But he explained in Sunyani last Saturday that " The two are not the same."

Commendation 

He commended the PCG for its contribution to national development. 

He also had some kind words for the Brong Ahafo Presbytery for its 50 years of progress.

He said the development initiatives of the church fed into the government’s transformation agenda.

Contribution to education

The Moderator of the PCG, Most Rev Prof. Emmanuel Martey, touted the contribution of the church to quality education.

He said the challenges that confronted the nation were created by Ghanaians and as such all the people had a role to play in restoring the country to where it belonged.

"God will open opportunities for the nation if as a people, we do the right things," he added.

He called for reconciliation in the country to promote peace.

Christians, he said, must not let the nation down as the general election drew closer.

Transforming society

The Chairman of the Brong Ahafo Presbytery, Rev. Kwadwo Owusu Sarpong, said the Presbytery combined evangelism with socio-economic advancement of the society.

"However, to succeed in transforming societies we need to continously seek the hand of God to be with us as a Presbtery in order to propel our evangelism drive," he said.

He called on the Presbyterian congregation to contribute their part in making the November general election peaceful.