News
‘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
Hot!
Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
Hot!
NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
