Monday, March 16, 2009

MOVES TO HARMONISE ETHNIC GROUPS IN KUMASI (PAGE 43)

ETHNIC groupings in the Kumasi metropolis have come together at a roundtable to find ways of promoting peace amongst themselves.
Organised at the instance of the Gateway International Christian Ministry based in the United States of America, the discussions brought together 45 representatives mostly the youth of about 15 ethnic groupings to the one-day roundtable discussions.
At the ceremony, the founding pastor of the church, Reverend Elvis Acheampong, said peace was a major prerequisite for the development of every nation.
He said over the years Kumasi had remained the nerve centre for the integration of people from all tribes.
“This is what as a church we want to promote to ensure that we all live as brothers and sisters,” he said.
According to Rev Acheampong, the Gateway International Christian Church, with headquarters in Washington DC and branches in Ghana, is a thriving multinational church that prepares people from all walks of life to live responsible lives for the benefit of their families and nation.
The head pastor urged the various tribal groupings to have respect for one another.
He said it was disastrous for any one tribe to claim superiority over the other, stressing that “before God we are all the same”.
Rev Acheampong urged the youth to channel their energies into useful ventures rather than unnecessary conflicts and violent actions.
He gave the assurance that similar programmes would be organised in other parts of the country.
Rev Acheampong stressed the need for Ghanaians to stop associating specific ethnic groups with some negative things, as such a practice tended to divide the nation.
During an open forum, the participants gave a pledge to impress on their people to live at peace with one another.
They commended the church for initiating the discussions which they described as very positive.

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