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Faith-Based organizations will be classified as development Partners – Bawumia
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has reaffirmed his commitment to classifying the church and all fath-based organisations as key partners 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 iit s time for us to see the church and, in fact, all fath-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
Ghana Tourism Marketplace is good initiative – Alisa Asamoah
The immediate past President of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA), Chief Executive of Riali Consult, Mrs. Alisa Osei Asamoah, has lauded the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC) for its efforts to improve the viability of the sector through the Ghana Tourism Marketplace (GTM).
The GTM is an innovative platform that aggregates all tourism and hospitality vendors in Ghana, providing a unified platform for the distribution of their products and services.
The GTM is a shared economy model to benefit all stakeholders in the tourism ecosystem.
Speaking to the media after a stakeholder deliberation on GTM, Mrs.Asamoah said, this is what they are looking for. According to her, it is a good initiative by the GTDC.
“This is what we are all looking for. When you go to South Africa, and other countries, they have initiated the same thing,” he said.
She said this would positively impact the industry because that is where the private sector would exhibit their products, adding that it is going to be competitive.
Mrs.Asamoah concluded that this would increase trust between them and their clients, and from the presentation, the project would be very sustainable.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
Afenyo Markin criticises Police over handling of Abronye’s case
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo Markin has raised concerns about the handling of the arrest and detention of Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, also known as Abronye.
According to him, the police invited Abronye on Monday, September 8, and he honoured the invitation with his lawyers.
He said Abronye submitted himself to interrogation but, within an hour, was taken into the custody of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).
The Minority Leader questioned why the police, who were investigating the case and had their own holding cells, decided to send someone being investigated for a misdemeanor to the NIB.
He intimated that checks confirmed that the NIB was not investigating or interrogating Abronye, but had only kept him because the police requested it.
He wondered whether the move was meant to punish Abronye, stressing that the police detained him the whole of Monday night and Tuesday morning, before presenting him to court on 9th September.
The Minority Leader added that in court, the police asked for Abronye to be remanded to allow further investigations, and the judge granted the request.
He however described it as unfortunate that the police handcuffed Abronye when he was leaving the court.
By: Jacob Aggrey
