Accra: Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff, has urged the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) to sustain its role in shaping Ghana's moral and democratic values as it marks its 96th Anniversary. She emphasized the importance of faith anchored in truth and service as the foundation of lasting nations during the Council's 96th Anniversary Breakfast Meeting.
According to Ghana News Agency, Madam Addo commended the Council for nearly a century of service to the Church and the Republic. The event, attended by clergy, government officials, business leaders, and members of the Christian community, featured prayers, worship, and reflections under the theme: 'CCG at 96: Reflections, Achievements, Setbacks, and the Way Forward.'
Madam Addo recalled the Council's founding in 1929 by five churches: the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, English Church Mission, Ewe Presbyterian Church (now Evangelical Presbyterian Church), Presbyterian Church of the Gold Coast (now Presbyterian Church of Ghana), and Wesleyan Methodist Church (now Methodist Church Ghana). She described the Council as 'the collective moral voice of the Christian community in Ghana and our wider Ghanaian society.'
The Deputy Chief praised the Council's role in maintaining peace during Ghana's political transitions in the 1970s and 1980s and its quiet diplomacy in supporting constitutional governance since the Fourth Republic. She highlighted the government's recognition of faith institutions in promoting cohesion and moral renewal, citing the establishment of the Office of the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations.
Madam Addo noted the government's ongoing efforts to place moral renewal and good governance at the centre of national rebirth under the Reset Agenda. She disclosed that the Cabinet had discussed a bill to establish a Governance Advisory Council, which would include religious leaders. She also commended the Council's planned Ecumenical Convention themed 'Uniting the Body of Christ for Greater Impact,' as aligned with its founding vision to unite denominations for national development.
Reverend Emmanuel Osei-Akosah, Chaplain of the Tobinco Group of Companies, speaking on behalf of Elder Dr Samuel Amo Tobbin, shared reflections on 'The God Factor in Building the Tobinco Story.' He emphasized the Group's success being rooted in faith and reliance on divine guidance, considering the marketplace a spiritual field where growth does not just happen.
Rev. Osei-Akosah highlighted Dr Tobbin's spiritual journey, which inspired initiatives such as Atinka Media Village and the 'Di Asa' reality show, promoting confidence and self-expression among plus-size women. He also noted that the Samuel Amo Tobbin Foundation supports people from diverse backgrounds with education, healthcare, and livelihood assistance.
The Group holds an annual thanksgiving service to acknowledge God's faithfulness and promote a culture of appreciation. Rev. Osei-Akosah said, 'Thanksgiving is very dear to our hearts because we know that the unthankful is ungrateful and not appreciative of what God has done. We also know that a person who is thankful is a cheerful person and progresses in life.'