Respect our leaders

Published in the Daily Graphic on 27/02/2010, pg 18

Story: Matilda Attram
The Vice President of Global Bible Society, Professor Mrs Irene Odotei, has called on Ghanaians to change their attitudes towards leaders and among themselves to foster activities that will help improve on development.
She expressed the need for Ghanaians to avoid negative attitudes of overshadowing the hope of improving on the nation’s development.
She mentioned attitude of encouraging leaders and individuals involved in activities that would promote development as some elements needed to be considered by Ghanaians.
“Let us respect and affirm our leaders in their activities, for there is hope for the future only if we do the right thing”, she said.
Professor Odotei was speaking at a Bible Sabbath organised by the Bible Society of Ghana (BSG) as part of the activities for its 2010 Bible week celebrations in Accra.
It was under the theme ‘God’s Word:Hope for the Today and Tomorrow’.
It was to unite the various churches and christian denominations in the country to share the word of God as well as raise funds to support the work of God.
Professor Odotei pointed out in her address that, Ghana was among a few blessed nations with rich resources and could improve on its development if utilised in the right direction.
She said the future of the nation depended on the youth who required the support of the older generation to build their capacities in facing future challenges.
“We must appreciate God for giving us the resources and knowledge we need to develop. We must inspire our younger ones in their activities, let us see the good in them and take responsibility of their activities to motivate them to contribute to development”, stated Professor Odotei.
In a welcome address, the General Secretary of the BSG, Rev Kofi Owusu, indicated that the Bible week celebrations was instituted to be observed annually to enable christians emphasis their commitment to God and His word.
He stated that the celebration was important at this time of the world when all was focus on economic crises and how to prosper.
“In a world which is fast changing with its devastating consequences, it is important to turn to the Bible. It is important to be reminded that life is more than possessions”, he stated.
Rev Owusu pointed out that BSG was a non profit organisation with a mandate of translating the word of God into local languages to enable all persons have access to its contents.
He, therefore, appealed to christians to support BSG to sustain the work of God.
The President of Ghana Union Conference, Pastor Samuel Adama Larmie, in his sermon encouraged all christians to cultivate the habit of reading the Bible to strengthen and share their faith with others.