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The Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyinah, has pleaded with countries that have lost their dear citizens in the South African xenophobic attacks not to retaliate. According to the Gospel Preacher, such volatile retaliations will result in destruction of the peace bridge the black continent has struggled to build among member countries.

He challenged the African Union to be up and doing, saying, “The African Union must not expect and wait for the West to come and solve this problem for Africans. The Union must be able to manage this affair successfully.” He further called on the various religion groups, especially, Christians, to lead crusades on the discourse of peace, love and unity in Africa.

Notwithstanding the appeal, Dr. Onyinah also questioned the cruel and inhumane attitude being demonstrated by South Africans against their fellow African migrants, saying, “Migration has been an age old phenomenon where people move from one place to another in search of greener pastures. Nobody can truly claim ownership of a particular land. History shows that from time to time people move from place to place.”

The Apostle made the appeal at the opening of the 41st Session of the General Council meeting held at Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa-Fetteh, last week.  Addressing the gathering, he stated that Africans could only benefit and appreciate the continent’s indult natural resource, when they aim highly at good governance.

He observed that good governance structures would minimize poverty, inequality, unemployment, corruption, and would bring about the development the people desire. “African nations must aim at governance that will improve the livelihood of the people,” he said.

Touching on extremist activities in Africa and other parts of the world, he said it was rather unfortunate that in the name of worship, people will shed blood to establish such faiths, adding, “We know that anyone who truly knows the heart of God will never behave that way.” He explained that a good steward must take care of another person’s property.

“When Cain killed his brother and the Lord questioned him, “where is your brother?” Cain answered; “Am I my brother’s keeper?” this implies that he (Cain) knew God wanted him to be his brother’s keeper.  In other words, we are our neighbours’ keepers; that is, stewards of God to take care of our neighbours,” he added.

To the church, he appealed for the bar of ministerial performance, practice, ethics and standards be raised, and that the ministers have the responsibility to demonstrate exemplary lives to influence the good and godly behaviour of their followers .

The Church of Pentecost partners the state in national development in diverse areas like education and health. Currently, the church can boast of a student population 3,625 at the Pentecost University College.  To scale up the work force of the health industry, the university, in March 2014, introduced BSc in Nursing Programme alongside Master of the Arts Pentecostal Studies.