Christian Council's Statement On The State of the Economy

The Christian Council of Ghana On Sunday put out a 66-point statement on the state of the economy. It is encouraging that the council takes its role as a development partner seriously. 

It is also heartwarming that it sees the need for every Ghanaian to support government in finding lasting solution to the current economic challenges. The Council must also be commended for its call on Ghanaians to come together as one people with a common destiny to develop the country.

Even more commendable is the emphasis on the need to eschew partisanship in the way and manner we handle national issues. But to say that Ghanaians are fast losing confidence in government because their needs and aspirations are not being met, begs the question. It is also improper to say that demonstrations, labour unrest and the rising case of people committing suicide in churches are all indications that the people are losing confidence in their leaders.

One would have thought that the Christian Council would also aim at the current negative attitude and the deteriorating psyche of most Ghanaians as a factor in our current challenges. 

The Council with its prophetic role as a development partner is in the best position to press home the need for change in our attitude as a people to almost
everything. We have become so indisciplined in the way we go about things that it is impacting negatively on national life. 

Our indiscipline and  indiscriminate littering and disposal of waste contributed in a big way to the recent outbreak of cholera. That there are men and women of high intellect within the Christian Council cannot be under-estimated. 

As such it would have been wonderful if the Council for instance took it upon itself to educate Ghanaians on the need to promote made-in-Ghana products and patronise them as way of reducing pressure on the cedi.

There is no doubt that there are corrupt practices in the country. No one disputes that fact. For it
was said before, it is a canker that had been with mankind since Adam.

Can it not be said that with what our Good Lord Jesus Christ stands
for, it is the Church and Christians who should lead the fight against this canker? Are Christians not involved in corrupt practices? How will the council sanitise the Church of Christ and its followers against corruption? It is time the Christian Council declared a crusade not only against the economic challenges facing the country but also the negative attitudes which underline the challenges, such as being un-patriotic and not buying made-in-Ghana products. 

This will help boost the economy instead of the over-dependence on foreign made products, to the extent that we import almost everything including tooth picks and matches. There is a lot the Council can do to psyche up the Ghanaian and it is the belief that it can deliver on this. 

This is evident in the Psalm quoted at the end of the statement, Psalm 46:1-3 which states that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar ad foam and the mountains quake with their surging".

God bless our homeland Ghana and make us a patriotic people, ready to eat what we grow and grow what we eat.

BY TEYE KITCHER