Citizens must get equal access to food – Group
The Fellowship of Christian Council of Churches in West Africa (FECCIWA), on Thursday, opened its Fifth General Assembly Faith and Fish Conference in Tema, with a call on leaders of West African Countries to give citizens equal access to quality food.
Bishop Tilewa Johnson, President of the Christian Council of Gambia, who made the call in a sermon, said though, the Sub-Region was endowed with enough resources and food for all, some few greedy people have prevented a lot of people from getting access to their legitimate share.
The three-day conference which is being attended by 46 delegates from the various Christian Councils in the Sub-Region is on the theme, “It’s not about quantity, but the quality of food”.
Bishop Johnson stated that “there is enough food for all in the Sub-Region, but greed has damaged the divine plan that promises that there is enough for all.”
According to him, the countries do not have equal standard of operations regarding their agriculture leading to some countries and people becoming richer than others.
The Bishop mentioned that Christians could not ignore the unfair access and distribution of food in West Africa, which he said arose from the challenges of operating inefficient agriculture and fisheries system.
He added that poverty also arose from the restructuring of the economy of West African countries by their leaders to suit requirements of international monetary organizations.
Bishop Johnson called for the empowerment of the people in the Sub-Region to help change the poverty situation of the citizenry in every nation, since they are the most precious resources any nation can ever have.
He challenged leaders of West Africa to consider improving access to technology, provide ready markets for agricultural produce, as well as regulate policies that would help reduce disparities in food distribution.
Rev Fred Degbey, President of the Christian Council of Ghana, in a welcome address, said FECCIWA has been in existence for the past 18 years, and as a vital player in the Sub-Region, the Fellowship deals with issues, including food security, small arms, and poverty.
Nii Armah Ashietey, Greater-Accra Regional Minister, reiterated the call for a shift from rain-fed farming to irrigation farming.
He also appealed to church leaders to educate their congregation to cut down on exuberant funeral celebrations and rather invest the money in the education of their children for a better future.
Source: GNA