Desist from immoral activities-Prof Tagoe advises youth

Published in Daily Graphic on 16 Nov 2009 pg 11

Story: Matilda Attram

THE Vice-chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, has cautioned the Ghanaian youth to desist from immoral activities, and strive to improve on their lives and the nation.
According to him, the Ghanaian society was occupied with negative social vices such as armed robbery, drug trafficking, Internet fraud, bribery and corruption, occultism and promiscuity, which hindered the capabilities of the youth to contribute to the development of the nation.
“Indeed morality has become an issue to grapple with in our societies and governments, churches as well as ordinary Ghanaians continue to raise concern about the deplorable state of morality in contemporary Ghana. There is therefore the need to impact moral transformation to help change the morally wrong Ghanaian society,” he stated.
Professor Tagoe was speaking at the 63rd graduation ceremony of the Trinity Theological Seminary in Accra, on the theme ‘Theological Education and Moral Transformation in Ghana’.
Professor Tagoe indicated that, moral transformation through theological education was needed in the Ghanaian society for the sake of the individual religious and spiritual growth, as well as a strong foundation for the corporate development and the growth of the country.
He said moral transformation could be achieved through the accessibility of theological education by the lay to be equipped, shaped, guided and nurtured through the authority of the Bible for God’s mission, adding “Theological education must not be solely geared towards ordination. The elderly in the families, in communities and opinion leaders in particular must be targeted”.
The Vice Chancellor, therefore, urged the graduands to be committed to their service to God and the nation and also advised them to exhibit a sense of patriotism to enable them resist corrupt practices, as they encourage other members of the society.
“To be an agent of moral change one must be loyal to his country, obey the laws of the country and teach others the same. Don’t forget to always be in the spirit when you pray, love and care for the less fortunate and do not take things for granted”, he said.
The President of the Trinity Theological Seminary, Rev. Dr Cyril Fayose said the seminary with contributions from the Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican churches continued to maintain its respect as the leader in theological education within the West African sub-region and therefore was ready to train members of the charismatic churches.
“Trinity is a fully chartered and accredited tertiary theological institution that has given birth to great theologians, as well as church and ecumenical leaders in Ghana and beyond. A number of organisations like Church Mission Societies (CMS), Lighthouse Chapel International (LCI) and others have identified Trinity as their training institution in the sub-region”, he stated.
He said past students of the seminary mostly joined in the course to fight against poverty, exploitation, oppression, injustice, corruption and dictatorship but needed the church to take the leading role.
In spite of the growing presence of churches in our towns and villages, it is not marked by a correspondent growth in our moral and ethical development, he noted, saying that it was for this reason that they thought it necessary to address seriously the role of theological education in the moral transformation of Ghana and this could only be achieved if the church became the prophetic voice that it is called to be ”, he said.
Rev. Dr Fayose, commended the graduands and appealed to the public to support the seminary to achieve its objectives.
Twenty females and 130 males graduated at the ceremony in masters, bachelor of arts and diploma categorie in Theology.