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‘Leave your comfort zones to serve others’
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG), Rt Rev. Dr Seth Senyo Agidi, has appealed to politicians and pastors of some latter day churches to leave their ‘comfort zones’ for a while and attend to the needs of the underprivileged.
He insisted that the call to politics and priesthood demanded nothing “but sacrifice and service to humanity, without amassing wealth at the expense of the less privileged in society.
Rev. Dr Agidi was preaching the sermon at the inauguration of 14 ministerial candidates of the church at the Dela Cathedral at Ho, the Volta Regional Capital.
The event took place in strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols.
The Moderator likened the duties of the politician and priest to that of the frontline health workers who put their lives on the line for others to live as they battle COVID-19 in the contemporary Ghanaian and global societies.
“Politics is also actually a very noble field but the mindset of those playing it is what is destroying our society,” Rev. Dr Agidi observed, and then cited the good example of the late Nelson Mandela who spent 27 years of his life in jail to bring relief and justice to others; and also Martin Luther King Jnr who sacrificed his life crusading for social justice in society.
Still on sacrifice, Rev. Dr Agidi mentioned the late Mother Theresa who spent her entire life caring for others without making any profit from her charity.
He said it was, indeed, sad to realise that some politicians and pastors used their positions as means to loot and acquire wealth while the people they claimed to be serving rather wallowed in abject poverty with no hope in sight.
He sought to know why a priest would advertise his portrait on huge billboards at vantage points in cities with the aim of raking in money, instead of spreading the word of God to bring comfort to others.
He stated that the unhealthy competition for ‘filthy’ money in Christendom was posing a very bleak and dangerous future for the nation.
“And politics has foremost become an avenue for a well-paid job with cars and big houses, without placing the needs of the people first,” Rev. Dr Agidi added.
The man of God entreated the ministerial candidates to serve their congregations with love, humility, obedience, be prayerful, “and serve God and others before yourself.”
From Alberto Mario Noretti, Ho-Kpodzi
News
New BoG governor can’t engage in official duties – Afenyo-Markin to Mahama
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin has raised concerns over the assumption of official duties by Dr. Johnson Asiamah as Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
The former Deputy Governor was recently nominated by President John Dramani, on January 31, 2025, to serve as Governor, pending approval by the Council of State.
This follows a formal request by the current Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison, to proceed on leave ahead of his retirement on March 31, 2025.
However, in a letter to President Mahama dated February 4, Minority Leader raised serious concerns with Dr. Asiamah’s assumption of office in the absence of the Council of State.
“Your Excellency, it is my considered view that Dr. Johnson Asiamah should refrain from engaging in official duties at the Bank of Ghana until his nomination has been duly approved by the Council of State. While awaiting confirmation, he can seek any necessary briefings outside the formal assumption of office,” the letter noted.
He added, “I trust that due attention will be given to this matter to uphold the integrity of our institutional processes.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read full statement below
News
Bagbin lifts suspension of four MPs
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has lifted the suspension of four Members of Parliament (MPs) who were suspended after a clash during the vetting session on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
The altercation occurred between Minority and Majority MPs, escalating tensions in Parliament. The disagreement reached a peak after the suspension of the four MPs, triggering a debate over whether the vetting should proceed on January 31, 2025.
Following the suspension, the Minority MPs walked out, leaving only the Majority to continue with the vetting of nominees, including that of MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who had already undergone several hours of questioning by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The lifting of the suspension comes after a review of the incident. The four MPs – Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Jerry Ahmed Shaib and Alhassan Tampuli – are now expected to resume their parliamentary duties as normal. The move seeks to restore order in Parliament following the disruptions.
This was after both the majority leader and minority leader appealed to the Speaker of Parliament to lift the ban on the four MPs.
Alban Bagbin said, “So I have lifted the suspension order. I do so instantly and takes effect immediately. The affected Hon. Members are permitted now to enter the precincts of the house. I must say they actually complied with the orders.”
He assured that the investigations will continue, and the House will have the opportunity to make a decision.
He commended the security agencies for their support.
Source : Citinewsroom.com
