The Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church Ghana has noted that though the Free Senior High School programme being pursued by the Akufo-Addo administration is a laudable policy, but it is fraught with challenges that must be addressed.
According to the church, but for the policy, most of the underprivileged pupils in the country would not have had access to SHS education and that is why it must be commended.
However, the challenges that have emerged since the government started the implementation of the policy must also be looked at.
“Apart from the toll on the finances of the nation, there are other worrying issues like the uncertainty about the academic calendar, challenges with the School Feeding programme and the Computer School Selection and Placement System, which call for urgent review of the programme”, the church said in a communique issued after its 62nd annual synod in Kumasi.
The synod, which was held at the Mt. Zion Chapel, Ahensan, Kumasi, was under the theme: “Discipleship: Living the Transformed Life in Jesus Christ”.
It expressed optimism that the government would heed to the numerous calls for a review of the policy so as to improve upon it.
The Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana, also noted with concern the rippling effects of illegal mining (galamsey) on our environment.
According to the church, despite the numerous resources which the state has marshalled to fight against galamsey, the environment is still being destroyed.
“The situation keeps getting worse and our water bodies are still polluted. The Synod, therefore, calls on the Government, especially officialdom, to effectively lead the crusade in the fight against galamsey and make that illicit business an unattractive venture to pursue, by invoking the full rigours of the laws of the land on those who indulge in it.”
PROPER HUMAN SEXUAL RIGHTS AND GHANAIAN FAMILY VALUES BILL
2021
On the LGBTQIA+ debate, the Church reaffirmed its support to the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, whose objective is to truncate the socio-moral canker of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual plus (LGBTQIA+) currently in parliament and commended the Members of Parliament and all stakeholders who strived relentlessly to introduce this Bill.
“The members of the Synod held the belief that the land of Ghana is not ready to accept any practice that is against not only our Christian values, but Muslim and Ghanaian Traditional values as well. They urged all to join hands in saying “NO” to ungodliness and avoid the wrath of God on the nation.”
PREPARATION TOWARDS THE 2024 NATIONAL ELECTION
Ahead of the 2024 General Elections, whichis about nineteen months away, the Synod called on all the political parties in Ghana to ensure that peace is maintained in the country, even as the country prepares and works towards the 2024 National elections.
This feat, according to the Church, can be achieved by having policy-centered and issue-driven conversation, whilst they pursue their campaign with utmost decorum, devoid of acrimony, insults, rancour and insinuations.
The communiqué further called on media houses to refrain from using intemperate language in their reportage to forestall inflaming passions and polarise the political climate.
It asked the Electoral Commission (EC) to go about its duty transparently for smooth electoral exercise in Ghana.
The Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana, told the EC that: “The Electoral Commission is to conduct their duty in a way which would reduce suspicion, bearing in mind that election is a process and not an event and, therefore, would be expected to be above board at every stage, from the compilation of the Voter Register, printing of electoral materials, conveyance of same to the polling Centres, the day of voting, results collation and finally the declaration of results.
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