Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has urged the country's religious bodies to instill discipline and high level of integrity in their members and followers.
Speaking at the 86th Annual National Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission on Thursday, January 4, 2018 under the theme "Ensuring a Disciplined Society: The Role of Religion", Dr. Bawumia highlighted the significance and roles of the religious bodies in shaping the society.
According to him, religious leaders have the ultimate responsibility to train their congregants to control their behaviour in ways that positively serve the society.
"This coaching is done at the various strata of society. It begins from the lowest stratum at the home, the family, community, formal education sector, mosques, and churches, among others...religious bodies have a mandate to provide training that is capable to transform society and the individual. Without this guidance, the human being, in his physical state, has the tendency towards unacceptable behaviours. Religion is supposed to regulate man’s behaviour in such a way that mankind is guided through reason and understanding. This, brings a person’s physical state under control in an orderly and proper manner", he addressed the gathering.
Dr. Bawumia also used the occasion to reiterate the government’s commitment and willingness to partner religious entities to eschew corruption and other social vices that erode the moral fabric of the economy.
"...there is no doubt that majority of Ghanaians belong to one religion or the other. However, the role of religion in shaping and moulding the moral character of citizens has lately been questioned in terms of deliverables...9. The greatest remedy to all of these vices is the continuous inculcation of discipline into the moral fabric of the Ghanaian people and I challenge religious bodies to do more in this direction.
"The Government of Nana Akufo-Addo is committed to building a robust economy to provide equal opportunity for all Ghanaians by rolling out some bold policy initiatives. These initiatives require high levels of collaboration, commitment and discipline to be successful".
He noted that in order to enhance the growth of the economy, the bills enacted will serve as a scaffold for economic development.
"The Northern Development Authority, Coastal Development Authority and Middle Belt Development Authority bills will manage the cedi equivalent of $1 million allocation to every constituency to undertake basic infrastructure projects. This is aimed at enhancing bottom-up development by increasing economic activity at the local level, and can only be achieved with significant levels of discipline and commitment. Also, Ameer Chairman, signing of the Special Prosecutor Bill into law is a significant step in the president’s determination to fight corruption in the public life of our dear nation. Both past and present public officers will be under the microscope and held to account for their actions. This will help fight corruption and ensure prudent use of our resources for the benefit of all.
"Finally, in our attempt to utilize resources prudently to benefit deprived communities, we have signed into effect the Zongo Development Fund Bill which is set up to improve the lives of our people in the Zongo communities. Ameer Chairman, to achieve all these and all other government projects, there is the need for the support and cooperation of all. This means we should all develop a sense of patriotism, eschew corruption and espouse honesty in all our undertakings", he added.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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