Methodists To Raise GH¢2.9m In Support of Education, Health, Governance

The Methodist Church has set a target to raise GH¢ 2.9 million by the end of 2018 to support sectors of the economy.

The amount will be drawn from the church’s Development Fund levy of 50 pesewas per month from its members.

The Presiding Bishop of the Church, Most Reverend Titus Kofi Awotwi Pratt, disclosed this in a speech read on his behalf at the launch of the Methodist Development Fund (MDF) awareness and special fundraising for 2017 at Winneba in the Central Region.

The event was held on the theme, “The MDF and Effective Stewardship in Sustaining Our Missionary Gains”.

Support areas

In the speech which was read by the Lay President of the Methodist Church, Mr Bernard Clement Kwasi Botwe, the Presiding Bishop indicated that the money would be used to support education, health, governance and other national issues.

He urged members of the church to fulfil the Godly responsibility to the society by contributing their quota to the fund so that the expected money could be raised as planned.

Most Rev. Awotwi Pratt said the work of God was not limited to the chapel but that it ought to be reflected in critical aspects of national life.

He noted that although contributions to the fund in 2016 rose by 14.5 per cent as compared to 8.1 per cent in 2015, inflows to the fund had not been all that impressive.

Financial discipline

The Director of the MDF, Very Rev. Ishmael N. Ghansah, urged members of the church to adhere to financial discipline and prudent use of their earnings to be able to meet their basic needs and also contribute to the fund.

He said the fact that proceeds from the fund was used to undertake infrastructure projects such as school buildings and also supporting of the poor and needy meant that the church was making a positive impact on the society.

“To enable the fund to continue supporting all in the Church and the vulnerable in society, we need to pay just 50 pesewas a month. It might look small but when we put it together, your widow’s might will make a big impact on someone’s life,” he said.

The Winneba Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr John Badu Buabeng, expressed optimism that the fund would give practical meaning to their religious work as Christians.

He therefore, called on all well-meaning Ghanaians to support the fund.

Source: Graphic