The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has identified the malfunctioning of the economy, energy and health sectors of Ghana, as challenges but said there was hope since the country has the potential to turn things around.
According to the Asantehene, the raging energy crisis, popularly known as “Dumsor”, is crippling businesses, aside the existence of graduate unemployment and difficulties in the healthcare system.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II made the observation last Friday in his keynote address at the opening session of the National Convention of Aglow International-Ghana (AI-G) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on the theme “…And Will Restore All Things”.
He said: “Yes, there is unemployment for our youth who have graduated from school, the energy crisis is hurting businesses, our health delivery system is experiencing difficulties and this election year, threats of violence which can disrupt the peace we are enjoying are seemingly with us”.
Basing his views on Mathew 17:1-13, which speaks of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, expressed the hope that God would restore all lost things, and tasked the AI-G to continue praying for the country.
“I am impressed and fascinated by the monthly prayers you hold in the various regions for the nation and which culminates in an annual thanksgiving ceremony in Accra. The relevance of your theme and how your objectives are going to be realised will depend on the unbridled efforts you put in your desire to carry out your mandate. And I am confident you will make it”, he admonished.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu was impressed with the number of respectable, graceful and elderly women in the fellowship but charged the fellowship to consider forming a youth wing to seek the transformation of morality amongst girls which, according to him, ‘is at a lowest ebb’.
The National President of the AI-G, Mama Dorothy Danso, in her welcome address, also acknowledged that Ghanaians were on the brink of despair but said there was still hope for a turnaround and they would work at it.
“Two years ago, we stood on our theme that there is a sound of abundance of good things to rain on us and God being so good and compassionate blessed us with plenty to eat. Foodstuffs and vegetables were in abundance during that season”.
“Our expectation on the economy, health and sanitation, education, youth employment and social amenities were not satisfactory and needs much improvement. Though the nation is facing difficulties and challenging times and we are at the brink of despair we would not lose hope for our Redeemer lives; there will be light at the end of the dark tunnel and our God will restore to us all things lost”.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Alexander Ackon, acknowledged the close relationship between the church and the government and asked the former to support the latter in its efforts towards improving the socio-economic conditions in the country to improve the quality of life of the citizenry.
“We are aware 2016 is an election year and very soon hectic campaigns are going to take centre stage in national political activities. Tension is going to rise and I entreat you to pray unceasingly that the presidential and parliamentary election will be free, fair and incident free”, he pleaded.
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