By Michael Kofi Kenetey
The outgoing Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, PCG, Rt. Rev. Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, has bemoaned what appears to be the country’s overdependence on domestic and external loans to finance its budget deficits.
Rt. Rev. Prof. Yeboah Mante, though he commended the government on its drive towards digitalization and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, STEM education in the country, urged the government to take measures to address the budget deficits.
Speaking at the 23rd General Assembly of the Church, which saw the election of a new Moderator of the Church, Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, and the launch of the Bible Clubs for Children’s Service and Junior Youth at Kwahu-Abetifi in the Eastern Region, he noted that the church is deeply concerned about the current state of the nation, adding that there were very high hopes among the citizenry when the government assumed office, believing that the government will safeguard public funds, revive the economy, and steer Ghana towards a brighter future.
The outgoing Moderator, while applauding the government for its excellent beginnings, lamented recent events that have left many citizens feeling disappointed and disheartened.
On unemployment, Rt.Rev. Prof. Yeboah Mante hinted that the PCG’s Peace Project, implemented in the 19 Presbyteries of the church in the country, identified unemployment as being directly correlated with insecurity and that it is a matter that needs to be critically addressed.
He therefore called on the Government to partner with other stakeholders with varied entrepreneurial experiences to augment the government’s efforts to reduce unemployment and find a permanent solution.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, as the Guest of Honour of the 23rd General Assembly Durbar, the Senior Advisor at the Presidency, Yaw Osafo-Marfo, lamented about the issue of indiscipline in the country, adding that the Presbyterian discipline that seemed to exert discipline in the country is no more.
Mr. Osafo Marfo therefore called on the church to look back on the Presbyterian discipline that the church exerted on the country in the past, which has helped the country in numerous ways.
Church members across the country who have excelled in various disciplines such as education, healthcare, governance, and leadership, among others, were awarded. This year’s General Assembly is on the theme “Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega”.
