Asantehene Lauds Government , Church Partnership In National Partnership

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu has commended churches in the country for their innovativeness, in partnering government�s quest to help address the socio-economic challenges facing Ghanaians. He however, challenged them to focus more on providing technical and material support, particularly in the areas of education, agriculture, health and infrastructure development to bring the needed salvation to their congregations and enhancing their well being. Otumfuo Osei Tutu was speaking at a sod cutting ceremony for the construction of a Banking and Office Complex in Kumasi, being undertaken by the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana. The Project forms part of the redevelopment of the K.O. lands belonging to the Methodist Church and is estimated to cost six million Ghana Cedis. When completed, it will have space for banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, clinic, dentistry and optical services, restaurant, lettable office spaces, executive lounges and areas for parking and storage. It is the aim of the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church to redevelop and put to good use this commercial viable land to augment its traditional source of financing the church�s numerous activities. Otumfuo Osei Tutu emphasized the need for churches in the country to strive hard to cope with the changing trend with regard to the spiritual and physical growth of their congregations. He however, bemoaned the increasing rate of land litigations that churches are involved in. This, Otumfuo Osei Tutu blamed on chiefs who indulge in multiple sale of lands without recourse to earmarking sites for social services and recreation. Otumfuo Osei Tutu who himself is an Anglican, said he was brought up as a Methodist and that was where he was imbued with the virtue of humility that has made him successful in all his endeavour s so far. The Asantehene commended the leadership of the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church for its foresight to construct such magnificent project and promised to support its construction. The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante charged the Kumasi Diocese to preserve all archival materials of the founding fathers to serve as heritage for posterity. He expressed gratitude to the Kumasi Diocese for not considering only the spiritual needs of members but exploiting opportunities available to raise funds to support the growth and development of the church.