The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has called on Ghanaians to inculcate the values of sacrifice, integrity and collective responsibility for national development.

He said those values were critical to overcoming teething development challenges and forging a united force for a prosperous country.

The minister made the call in a speech to climax his visits to selected areas of the Church of Pentecost on Resurrection Sunday, marking the end of the Easter festivities.

Mr Ibrahim worshipped with congregations in the Sakumono and the La areas, including the La Zone and Mamobi Zone of the Church of Pentecost.

The visit, which formed part of a broader nationwide engagement with Christian communities during the Easter season, was meant to share messages of hope, renewal and national cohesion. 

Reflections

A central highlight of the minister’s message was the urgent need for the strengthening of collaboration between the state and the church.

He acknowledged the church’s invaluable contributions to the country’s development, particularly in the areas of moral upbringing, education and health care and encouraged continued partnership in shaping a disciplined, values-driven society.

The minister observed that Easter, which marked the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolised sacrifice, renewal and transformation for humanity.

In that regard, he urged all citizens, irrespective of their religious backgrounds, to reflect on those virtues and translate them into their contributions to national development.

“Just as Christ sacrificed for humanity, we must be prepared to sacrifice for the progress of our nation.

Ghana’s development depends on our willingness to put the collective good above personal interest,” he stressed.

Inclusive development

The minister added that the youth, who constituted the majority of the country’s population, must imbibe progressive attitudes and a positive mindset anchored on patriotism.  

He also underscored the need for conscious efforts to be made to empower women to contribute their quota in a meaningful way to national development. 

He said enhancing sustainable national development required women to be at the centre of policy formulation and implementation.

Mr Ibrahim called on churches to continue praying for the peace, prosperity and development of the country.

In that respect, all the congregations the minister visited offered intercession prayers for the country, asking for divine guidance, peace and prosperity. 

Church’s response

Leaders of the Church of Pentecost who hosted the minister expressed appreciation for the engagement and reaffirmed the church’s commitment to national development through prayer and moral guidance.

They led their congregations to offer special prayers for the President, government officials and all leaders of the country, asking for wisdom, integrity and the courage to make decisions that serve the best interests of Ghana.

The Sakumono Area Head of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Nana Yaw Adjei, said the minister's Easter message resonated with the congregation, particularly the call for sacrifice and national unity.

Similarly, the La Area Head of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr Dieudonne Nuekpe, stressed the importance of the church’s partnership with the state.

He called on the church to rise in sustained prayer for the nation, in response to the minister’s appeal for the state to be upheld spiritually.