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No ‘pain’ no gain: Stop paying pastors to fast on your behalf
Rev John Buertey Lawerteh
The Reverend Minister in-charge of the Trinity Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) in Big Ada of the Greater Accra Region, Reverend John Buertey Lawerteh has cautioned Christians who pay pastors to fast on their behalf to desist from it since it was not a good Christian practice.
He observed a new trend that people usually preferred to pay pasters on their behalf to avoid the inconvenience that came with fasting.
Reverend Lawerteh gave this advice when he delivered a sermon on the theme “Search for the hidden treasure” during his send-off ceremony after two years of service with the congregation.
He said where there was no pain, there was no gain such Christians were not serious with their Christian lives because no good thing comes easily.
“You must search for the hidden treasure yourself and not sit back and expect someone to do so on your behalf,” he said.
According to him, God is available and accessible to all who seek him deligently and not for a privileged few so everyone should endeavour to have a personal relationship with Him to easily approach Him.
He said there was no guarantee that the Man of God who was paid would honour his side of the agreement.
The Reverend Minister was surprised at the rate at which Christians had become nonchalant with the things of God in this era and advised them to wake up from their slumber and work hard to get the best from God.
He revealed that even in academics, people prefer taking the easy “but it doesn’t work like that. You must sacrifice to get what you want.”
“The youth also engage in sexual immorality yet claim to be praying to God for the right marriage partner which is a double standard because God expects His children to be pure and stay away from fornication,” he added.
Reverend Lawerteh became a catechist with his service with the PCG for seven years and 29 years as a Minister totaling it 36 years of service in the vineyard of God.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Big Ada.
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
