By Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo
The Catholic Bishop of Damango, Most Rev. Peter Paul Yelezuome Angkyier, has urged Christians who have the skills for political office not to hesitate to enter politics.
He intimated that people who are imbued with the fear of the Lord “should go into the public sector” and bring their Christian faith to bear on issues and policies in order to promote the common good.
Bishop Angkyier made the call at the 20th Biennial National Delegates Congress of the Catholic Organisation for Social and Religious Advancement (COSRA) in Wa in the Upper West Region.
Bishop Angkyier, who delivered the keynote address on the theme “Synodality of the Church: Communion, Participation and Mission—The Assignment of COSRA in That Midst of the Tripod,” admonished the citizenry, especially Christians, to work assiduously to conquer evil.
He said: “We must all work actively to conquer or at least minimise evil in our society. We know, we are all aware of the difficulty in living a just life in our society of today, where bribery and corruption seem to be a legalised norm; falsehood, dishonesty, armed robbery, stealing, misappropriation of funds, others or other things, cheating, indecency, lack of trust in people, and many others are rampant.”
The Pro Vice Chancellor of the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS), Prof. Emmanuel K. Derbile, stated that the University community considers spirituality and spiritual development as part of the holistic process of training students, and that is why management structures such as the Chaplaincy finds expression in the University’s statute and welcome COSRA to partner with SDD-UBIDS in that endeavour.
The National President of COSRA, Dr. Stephen Nabareseh said COSRA continues to work with other groups and offices of the Church to change passive Catholics into active Catholics and highlighted the contributions of COSRA.
He averred that: “The contributions of COSRS in our outstations, in our Parishes, and in our Dioceses have been very enormous and significant. COSRA has tremendously transformed the youth in our parishes and in some cases, and in most cases has been the only youth group that propels activities in the Parish.”
The National Vice President of COSRA, Ms. Tamara Amina Sulemana, indicated that the Congress among others, was for stock-taking and deliberating on the way forward of COSRA as well as members’ contributions to the Mother Church.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, commended the Catholic Church for establishing a number of educational and health facilities in the Region as a contribution to society and pledged the support of the government to the Church for further development.
“Let me use this platform to salute and thank you for complementing the efforts of the government. I want to assure you of the Regional Coordinating Council’s support in any endeavour that seeks to uplift the living conditions of our people,” the Regional Minister stated.
The National Laity Council Chairman and Vice Chancellor of Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University, Prof. Elias N. K. Sowley, who presided at the function, stressed the need for lone voices to be considered in decision-making, adding that at times, lone ranger’s input can make a difference.
