The government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) as key partners for nation building and the attainment of a value-based and prosperous society.
The MoU is within the framework of social partnership agreements that have been initiated with labour and employees.
The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, who represented the government said the collaboration complements the transformational agenda of government and the vision of a Ghana Beyond Aid (GBA).
He said it also swept to create a confident society and uphold core values outlined in the GBA Charter of patriotism, honesty, respect, and hard work, among others.
Mr Ofori-Atta said the FBOs significantly influence development in areas such as education, health, agriculture, social justice and advocacy as well as the preservation of morality and ethics in society.
“The churches have about 30,000 branch networks, the FBOs are well positioned to inform policy development and expedite the delivery of social infrastructure and services,” he said.
A representative from the Christian Council, Most Reverend Dr Paul Boafo commended government for the collaboration and said the church would continue to be the voice for the voiceless and champion programmes that would benefit everyone.
The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council President, Rev Prof. Paul Frimpong Manso, challenged Christians to actively participate in politics to help correct the wrong doings in politics.
“Who said Christians cannot get involved in politics, when good people do not get involved in politics, wrong people come that’s why there is stealing, looting and cheating everywhere,” he said.
He called on churches to embrace the collaboration and put aside individualism and denominationalism, “we are the light and salt of the world without the church we would not see the Ghana beyond aid”.
By Agnes Opoku Sarpong
