News
‘Be concerned about spiritual foundation of children’
EXCESSIVE academic pressure coupled with weak spiritual formation is gradually eroding the moral foundations of the current generation of children, Rev. Daniel Amoako Nyarko, President of the Ghana Blue Cross, has warned.
According to him, the spiritual vulnerability of these children in the contemporary society was something parents and society must be concerned about.
Rev. Daniel Amoako Nyarko made the remark at the launch of the 120th anniversary celebration of the Ghana Blue Cross at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Emmanuel Congregation, Aburi, in the Akuapem Presbytery.
Blue Cross Ghana, founded in 1906 and affiliated with the International Blue Cross, is a faith-based NGO under the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and focused on preventing alcohol and substance abuse.
It provides advocacy, counselling, rehabilitation, and self-help group services to promote dignified, drug-free lifestyles, particularly for youth.
The anniversary launch, held at the historic Aburi mission enclave in the Eastern Region, also marked 120 years since the birth of the Blue Cross movement in Ghana.
According to Rev. Nyarko, the present generation of children were burdened and overstretched with academic demands and are spiritually neglected.
“Today’s children have a lot of problems. They are overburdened with academic assignments and left with little spiritual engagement; this is gradually destroying them,” he indicated.
That vulnerability, he emphasised, could lead such children to other social vices that endanger their lives and put their future in doubt.
Consequently, Rev. Nyarko cautioned the youth against substance abuse, declaring that, “Do not let drugs and alcohol waste your life.”
He noted that addiction was not merely a social issue but a spiritual crisis requiring collective compassion and intervention.
Drawing from 2 Timothy 1:3–8, he urged believers to uphold sincere faith and spiritual courage, emphasising that victims of drugs and alcohol need care, not condemnation.
Rev. Nyarko called on parents and the Church to intentionally pass on the moral and spiritual heritage of the Presbyterian tradition to younger generations. Quoting Job 14:14, he appealed to members to live with eternal consciousness and renewed commitment to mission.
He also urged “all meaningful members of the Presbyterian Church and Christians alike” to carry the perishing at heart and actively participate in rescue efforts through evangelism, mentoring, and structured Christian fellowship.
He invited the adult generation to rise to the challenge of confronting social decay by supporting the Blue Cross movement through prayer, availability, and financial commitment.
“Sow your seed to make the work of the Blue Cross a lasting legacy for the Church and the Ghanaian community,” he stated.
120 years of moral reform
The Blue Cross movement in Ghana traces its roots to Aburi, approximately 120 years ago during a period of intense missionary and revival influence within the Presbyterian tradition.
Established as a Christian temperance movement, Blue Cross emerged in response to rising concerns about alcohol abuse and moral decline.
Its foundation combined biblical teaching, moral discipline, public pledges of abstinence, and structured fellowship.
Grounded in texts such as 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, Ephesians 5:18, and Romans 12:1, the movement framed abstinence not merely as social reform but as theological obedience — presenting the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit and a living sacrifice unto God.
From Aburi, the movement spread across Presbyterian congregations nationwide, shaping generations of youth through pledge, prayer, and practice.
The General Secretary of the Ghana Blue Cross, Rev. Patrick Adjei Acheampong, in his brief address, recounted the milestones achieved over the past century.
He highlighted the movement’s role in youth mentorship, addiction prevention advocacy, moral formation programmes, and community engagement initiatives across Ghana.
Rev. Acheampong expressed gratitude to past leaders who, in his words, “held the fort and passed it on faithfully to this generation.”
He noted that the anniversary celebration was not merely ceremonial but a moment of reflection, renewal, and recommitment to the founding vision birthed in Aburi more than a century ago.
Beyond celebration
As the Ghana Blue Cross marks 120 years of existence, the message from the Presbyterian Church leadership is clear: the challenge of moral discipline, youth formation, and substance abuse remains urgent.
The anniversary launch was, therefore, framed not as nostalgia but as a renewed covenant to protect children, restore the addicted, strengthen families, and anchor the Church once again in disciplined, Spirit-filled living.
The anniversary Planning Committee Chairperson, Rev. Daniel Ofori Appiah, has appeal to all and sundry to support and make the celebration a memorable one.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister for Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, has praised engineers and technical teams working to restore electricity after a fire at the Akosombo Substation disrupted power supply.
He said this after visiting the facility on Monday night to assess ongoing repair works following the incident, which affected the control room and caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts of power to the national grid.
During the visit, he interacted with engineers and technicians who have been working continuously under difficult conditions to restore operations.
He said he was impressed by their dedication, courage, and professionalism despite the challenges.
The minister commended the teams for their resilience and sacrifice, noting that their efforts reflect a strong sense of duty and commitment to national service.
He assured them of the government’s full support as they continue with the restoration work.
He also assured the public that authorities are doing everything possible to restore stable electricity supply as soon as possible.
By: Jacob Aggrey
