The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, has urged Ghanaians to rely on Jesus Christ in these challenging times as he was the solid rock and foundation on which anything could be built.
He also advised them to be security conscious and continue to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocol to avert any terrorist attack and hike in COVID-19 cases in the country.
Most Rev. Dr Boafo was speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new chapel project of the Calvary Methodist Church in Accra yesterday.
The chapel project, which began about six years ago and is expected to be completed by 2025, is a six storey building with 1,500 seating capacity. It is together with a seven-storey building office complex and other project at the church’s premises estimated to cost $3,000,000.
He indicated that the world was in challenging times, “but those who will stand and brace it are those who build their institutions, families, nations on Jesus Christ”.
Most Rev. Dr Boafo asked Ghanaians to “vaccinate so we can reach immunity for ourselves,” adding that “let us all be circumspect in dealing with strangers and guests. I am not saying we should not be hospitable but if you see something suspicious, alert those in authority”.
He noted that the building of the temple’s foundation just as was in the bible demanded unity of purpose, humility, perseverance and integrity of the workers.
The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church said these workers also saw that the foundation of the temple was relevant and lived up to task for which reason the church must do same.
“And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it,” Matthew 7:26-27, Most Rev. Dr Boafo quoted.
The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei Opare, in a statement on behalf of the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, said the church was a great partner of the state, as such it should continue to collaborate with the state towards building a vibrant economy and country.
Congratulating the church, Mrs Akufo-Addo said the building would add to already existing places of worship for Christians to fellowship so “I urge you all to contribute to this to this project”.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, reiterated the need for Ghanaians to continue to enforce the COVID-19 precautions and remain security conscious as issues of terrorism had sprang up in the sub region.
“The youth of this country should not also allow themselves to be radicalised. Let us unite and fight this together,” he added.
Mr Quartey cautioned Ghanaians to be disciplined and ensure that their environs were tidied always, adding that the taskforce of the Operation Clean Your Frontage will in the coming week begin its operations.
BY ABIGAIL ARTHUR
