<<Print>>

The Right Reverend Professor Osei-Safo Kantanka, Methodist Diocesan Bishop of Kumasi, has urged the church to use its enormous influence to help calm the rising tension in the country. It needs to act together with the National Peace Council, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and other stakeholders to assist the political parties and their supporters to be measured in their pronouncements and to repudiate violence. He said the church as an agent of change must play key role in helping all to play by the rules of decency and fairness adding it could not fail to provide the needed leadership to promote the cause of unity and �our common humanity.� Rt Rev Prof Kantanka said this when addressing the opening session of the 51st annual diocesan synod at Asuoyeboa in Kumasi. The four-day meeting is being held under the theme �By thy unerring spirit led.� The Diocesan Bishop reminded the leadership of the church to show more commitment towards protecting its lands. He said he found it worrying that some of its lands in parts of the Ashanti Region, such as Ankaase and Offinso, are being illegally taken over by private developers saying the the church would have to respond appropriately before things get out of hand. Rt Rev Kantanka said as its contribution to the fight against poverty and joblessness particularly among the youth, the church is promoting vocational and technical education in the diocese. He said the church is providing opportunity for unemployed young people to acquire skills and trades to become economically self-supporting and appealed to delegates to renew their faith and commitment towards the growth of the church.