African Forum on Religion and Government to hold second leadership forum in July
Ghana would host a high level leadership forum on effective partnership between the State and Church in the socio-economic transformation of the country.
More than 400 national leaders are expected to participate in the national forum being organised by the African Forum on Religion and Government (AFREG-Ghana)
The event would be organised on the theme: “State-Church Partnership in National Transformation”, at the Ghana Institute of Public Administration (GIMPA) from July 18 to 22, 2011.
AFREG-Ghana is a continental movement that seeks to build African leaders of integrity, who are committed to transforming Africa into a continent characterized by excellence and shaped by God centred values.
The Right Reverend Professor Emmanuel Martey, Chairman of AFREG-Ghana Advisory Committee, who announced this at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, said the vision was to transform Africa into a first world continent led by leaders of integrity on a sustainable basis.
“The mission for AFREG-Ghana is to help catalyze the building of leaders of integrity to transform Ghana into a first world country, shaped by God-Centred values especially through partnership between the State and the Church,” he added.
Rt. Rev. Martey said AFREG-Ghana traced its history to Continental AFREG, which was inaugurated in July 2006 in Abuja, Nigeria.
He said Ghanaian participants at the continental AFREG One and Two meetings were convinced of the potential of constructive engagement between the government and political leadership on the one hand, and the leadership of Christians in Ghana who constitute two-thirds of the population in catalyzing accelerated development of the nation on the other hand.
“They constituted themselves into a committee to appeal to the leadership of the Christian denominations and the government to begin such engagement,” Rt. Rev. Martey said.
He said the participating government, organizational, political and Church leaders would exchange insights and critical analysis about the nation and its vast potential.
Rt. Rev. Martey said there would be small group strategic sessions to enable participants to develop national and regional initiatives to help transform Ghana into a thriving and influential country.
Professor Stephen Adei, Professor of Economics and Management, Pentecost University College and the Co-chair of the AFREG-Ghana Planning Committee, said the forum would tackle fundamental issues that would help build the country to its height.
He cited the role the Peace Council led by Cardinal Peter Turkson played in the 2008 General Election and said with dedication and determination Ghana could raise new crops of leaders with integrity to push forward the agenda of AFREG-Ghana.
He stressed the need for the Church to engage the State on national issues to ensure that the right thing was done.
Prof. Adei said despite the flare ups after the Nigeria national elections, one could say that they had a successful election and commended the people for their sense of unity and commitment.
Topics to be discussed during the forum include “Christian Responsibility and Politics, Transformational Servant Leadership in African’s Development, State-Church partnership in Social, Cultural and Economic Development, Political Tolerance-Managing our Differences, and Nurturing the Youth for Positive Contribution”.
The first sensitization conference was held in July 2010 and had attracted about 100 leaders of the Church, Government, Politicians, Business, Education and others.
Source: GNA