The Association of Anglican Boys and Girls Brigades Ghana, is hosting its Nigerian counterpart to a nine-day camp meeting which
opened in Accra on Tuesday to imbibe the principles of useful Christian service and witness in the campers.
The meeting being attended by over 200 campers from Ghana and Nigeria is on the theme: "Strengthening of the relations between Ghana and Nigeria- The Role of the Boys' and Girls' Brigades".
The Reverend Canon Samuel Ofei Ankrah, Youth Director, Anglican Diocese of Accra, recalled the ties between Ghana and Nigeria which dated back to
the colonial time when they had common head of state and currency and stressed the need for both brigades to collaborate to strengthen it.
He said the brigades must work vigorously to also strengthen the union between them as well as initiate exchange programmes for members that would support democratic, social, religious and economic development.
Rev .Ankrah also asked that programmes should be formulated for the youth to help create awareness on the need to live in peace and help one another.
Mr. Laud Augustus Ashong, Diocesan Coordinator, Anglican Brigades, said the coming together of the two countries to the camp meeting was the first of its kind to enable Ghana learn more from Nigeria "which is the first country in Africa to experience the life of the brigade in 1909.
He said the Boys brigade in Ghana would be celebrating 100 years of the existence while the girls' brigade would be 55 years.
He announced that next year, Ghana Brigades would reciprocate the visit to Nigeria while both countries were expected to visit South Africa in 2012 to hold camp meeting with their counterparts over there.
Mr. Ashong said while at the camping, members who are aged between six and 19 would study the history of both brigades, engage in talks on teenage pregnancies, and learn music lessons and career development, among others.
The Boys Brigade, an international Christian youth organisation, conceived by Sir William Alexander Smith around 1883 in the United Kingdom
to advance Christian virtues and beliefs among boys later spread quickly across the world. Girls' brigade on the other hand was formed in July 1965.
The two brigades were all formed to provide week-day activities for members of Sunday School and Church, an opportunity to develop mind, body
and spirit in preparation for the Christian life.