Source: Gifty Akoto
Ex-President John Dramani Mahama, has commended the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) for its recent letter addressed to the Akufo-Addo government with some suggestions about what it must do in the midst of the economic crises facing the country.
According to Mr. Mahama, this bold act should be done no matter which party forms the government, adding it encourages balance and nonpartisanship.
Ex-President Mahama, who was the Special Guest of Honor at the induction ceremony of Rev. Dr. Stephen Wengam as the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana was full of praise of the GPCC for its boldness.
The GPCC about a fortnight ago, asked President Nana Akufo-Addo to as a matter of urgency downsize his government machinery and to cut down on expenditure.
According to the GPCC, this will help build confidence in President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to solving the country’s economic problems.
The Council also said this move will demonstrate to Ghanaians that the president means his call for burden sharing and that it was not a political gimmick.
A communiqué signed by the President of the GPCC, Apostle Eric Nyamekye also admonished the government and other stakeholders, to collaboratively establish a national dialogue forum for regular consultations and engagements on pertinent matters of national interest.
“Urgently downsize government machinery and cut down on expenditure to start building confidence about its commitment in solving our economic problems. From the Council’s perspective, it is important that the Government demonstrates a strong sense of burden-sharing to encourage key bondholders to fully accept the exchange voluntarily.
“This should include Government explicitly and verifiably cutting down on its expenditure, including reducing the size of the government, among other areas. This is very critical to encourage buy-in from the general public.”
The GPCC also asked the government to ensure that the controversial Domestic Debt Exchange Programme does not destroy the financial sector.
“Whatever form the DDEP takes, Government should ensure that the financial sector, which is a key pillar of growth for the economy, is not destroyed in the process of the debt exchange.
“The Council acknowledges the setting up of the financial sector stability fund, as a measure to provide support to the financial sector, but the Council expects to see a clear demonstration that the facility is fully funded for implementation, in order to provide full assurance to the financial sector and the banking community.”
The induction ceremony took place on Saturday at the Grand Arena, Accra International Conference Center (AICC) and saw some members of clergy in Ghana as well as General Superintendents of Assemblies of God Churches from Togo, Burkina Faso, Benin, Cote d’ Ivoire, Niger, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, Tanzania and Singapore in attendance.
The former President, who is a member of Ringway Gospel Center branch of the Assemblies of God, encouraged the church to take great interest in the administration of the country and not to leave it to some specific group of people.
According to him, the church does not exist only to pray for leaders, but also to provide contributions and guidance to leadership.
He congratulated the newly inducted General Superintendent and the executives for their dedication to winning souls for Christ.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Wengam becomes the 7th General Superintendent of the Assembly and he succeeded Rev. Professor Paul Frimpong-Manso, who served as General Superintendent for 12 years.
Dr. Wengan is an ordained Minister and the founder and lead pastor of the Cedar Mountain Church, Assemblies of God.
Rev. Dr. Wengam takes office with an agenda to see Assemblies of God’s missionaries evangelize the entire country. He expects growth, transformation and rebranding of the Church to re-take its position as the leading Pentecostal church in Ghana.
The Executive Presbyter Officers who were inducted on the day were the Assistant General Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Godwin Tito Agyei, Rev. Dr. Ernest Birikorang, the General Secretary and Rev. Dr. Simon Abu Baba, the General Treasurer.
The Officiating Minister, General Superintendent of Tanzania who doubles as the President of the Africa Assemblies of God Alliance, Rev. Barnabas Mtokamobail congratulated the newly inducted General Superintendent and his leadership team.
He also wished him God’s guidance as he continues the mission and vision the Lord has given him to impact Ghana and the world.
The Executive Presbyter of New York Ministry, Assemblies of God, Rev. Gregg Johnson shared the core values exemplified by Dr. Wengam as being integrity, excellence, untiring diligence and servant-leader.
According to him, leadership will destroy the man whose character has not been prepared for it and indeed, Dr. Wengam has demonstrated high levels of faithfulness, endurance and excellence over the tenure of his Ministry at Cedar Mountain Chapel.
Rev. Johnson ended by congratulating Dr. Wengam and said to him, his best is yet to come!
