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Bawumia reaffirms his commitment to classify the church as development partners
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has reaffirmed his commitment to classifying the church and all faith-based organisations as a key partner in national development.
He made this known during a courtesy call on the Catholic Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese and President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Rev. Mathew Kwesi Gyamfi.
The visit, which took place ahead of his campaign in the Bono Region this morning, highlighted the Vice President’s desire to strengthen ties between the government and faith-based organisations.
He expressed his appreciation for the church’s role in shaping society and sought the prayers and spiritual blessings of the Bishop to guide his efforts.
“My Lord Bishop, as I have been indicating throughout my tours and also outlined in our manifesto, I am of the firm conviction that it is time for us to see the church and, in fact, all faith-based organisations as development partners,” he indicated.
The Vice President continued that “our churches have built more schools and perhaps hospitals plus others than even our international development partners. For you in the Catholic Church and even Bono Region here, you have produced the best senior high school in West Africa, that is St. James Seminary. Unfortunately, however, while international development partners benefit from all forms.of tax incentives when they import materials for such good causes, the church that does even more do not get such opportunities. My government, by the grace of God, will ensure that whatever benefits the international development partners get, the church will also get same, and even more. “
Dr. Bawumia emphasised his commitment to tackling illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, which has become a major environmental concern in the country.
He assured the Bishop that his government, if elected, will prioritize the protection of the country’s natural resources while working hand-in-hand with religious institutions to foster environmental stewardship.
He reiterated the importance of cooperation between the church and the government in addressing this pressing issue.
The Vice President further outlined his vision for an open-door government, promising that all faith-based organizations would have equal and unrestricted access to his office and administration.
He underscored that religious groups, including the Catholic Church, will be valued as essential partners in decision-making and the execution of development initiatives. Dr. Bawumia expressed his desire to collaborate closely with the church in promoting peace, education, and community development.
In response, the Catholic Bishop expressed his gratitude for the Vice President’s visit, noting that it was the first time a sitting vice president had called on him.
He lauded Dr. Bawumia’s efforts to build stronger ties with religious organizations and reaffirmed the church’s commitment to working with the government to ensure inclusive development.
The Bishop stressed that the church remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that uplift communities and contribute to the nation’s progress.
Also in attendance was Very Rev. Father Thomas Oppong Febiri – Vicar General of Catholic Diocese of Sunyani.
News
Breaking: Speaker declares Agona West, Fomena, two other seats vacant
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has today declared four seats in parliament as vacant.
This follows a motion filed by former Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu.
He argued that the MPs, who are seeking to contest the upcoming December elections as independent candidates, must renounce their parliamentary positions as outlined in the constitutional provisions governing parliamentary membership.
The affected MPs are Cynthia Morrison (Agona West), Kojo Asante (Suhum), Andrew Asiamah (Fomena), and Peter Kwakye Ackah (Amenfi Central).
Ruling on the matter in Parliament today, Bagbin stated that “Honourable members it is important to point that the speaker is called upon by the standing orders of parliament particularly order 18 to inform the house of the occurrence of a vacancy of the seat of a member under clause (1) b to e, g and h of article 97 of the constitution.”
He added, that the “Accordingly, I will proceed to inform the house that by the notification of the polls the following MPs are by their actions vacated their seats in parliament.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
One Direction singer Liam Payne dead after falling from Buenos Aires hotel balcony
Liam Payne, who shot to global fame with boy band One Direction, was found dead after he fell from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, triggering an outpouring of tributes from fans.
As news emerged of the 31-year-old English singer’s death, fans of one of the world’s biggest-selling boy bands gathered outside the hotel in the Argentinian capital’s leafy Palermo neighbourhood to sing his songs and celebrate his life.
Police said in a statement they had been called to the CasaSur hotel after being notified of an “aggressive man who could be under the effects of drugs and alcohol”.
When they arrived, the hotel manager reported he had heard a loud noise from the inner courtyard and the police found that a man had fallen from the balcony of his room, the statement said.
In audio obtained from the Buenos Aires security ministry, a worker can be heard asking for police help.
“When he is conscious he is destroying the entire room and we need you to send someone,” the worker said, adding that the guest’s life was at risk because the room had a balcony.
One Direction found global success after Simon Cowell brought together Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson on Britain’s X Factor talent show in 2010.
They went on to sell 70 million records, with six top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100, including “What Makes You Beautiful”, “Story of My Life” and “Live While We’re Young”. Payne’s co-writing credits included “Story of My Life” and “Night Changes”.
The band announced an “indefinite hiatus” in 2016, leaving its members to pursue solo careers. Payne’s last single was “Teardrop”, released in March this year.
Payne’s family said they were “heartbroken”.
“Liam will live forever in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul,” they said in a statement.
While details surrounding his death remained unclear, Payne had spoken publicly about his struggles with mental health and using alcohol to cope with the pressures of fame.
“Doing a show to however many thousands of people, then being stuck by yourself in a country where you can’t go out anywhere – what else are you going to do? The minibar is always there,” he told the Guardian newspaper in 2019.
Source: Reuters.com
