Methodist Bishop Blasts Mills

The former Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Asante-Antwi, has taken the government to the cleaners, saying the Mills administration has failed miserably.
The bishop, who was delivering a sermon at the thanksgiving service for the newly-elected flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, on Saturday at the Ridge Church in Accra, indicated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration had disappointed million of Ghanaians, owing to broken promises.
He noted that the time had come for Ghanaians to appreciate the good works of the nation’s past leaders, citing former president Kufuor as a leader whose contributions towards the development of the country had been undermined by his opponents.
Rev. Asante-Antwi, who endorsed the candidature of Nana Akufo-Addo, called on Ghanaians to reject the NDC and vote for the NPP flagbearer in the 2012 polls.
“Let us put in the appropriate measures that we are the alternative government. We have forgotten a lot of people in this country. At times we don’t notice them as human beings and need to be cared for.
“...They said that we didn’t do well, what have they done about those things? What about the roads? Now, the road toll has been increased how many per cent? More than a thousand per cent! What have they done with the monies collected? Water, electricity?
“Nana as I said, you have said it all, I am only trying to summarise,” he stated.
He commended Alhaji Aliu Mahama for waging a crusade against indiscipline when he was the vice president, adding “Alhaji, I hope you will pick it up again for this country.”
He bemoaned what he said was the poor implementation of social interventions like the National Health Insurance Scheme as well as the continued schooling of some children under trees.
What was expected to be a low-profile family thanksgiving service however turned out to be a mammoth rally when supporters of the party got to know their flag-bearer was worshiping at the Ridge Church.
Nana had entered the church premises to meet a sizeable crowd of NPP supporters but the crowd grew thicker as the service went on.
The congregation could not hold their joy for a successful congress as they sang praises and prayed for Nana Akufo-Addo, the prosperity of the NPP and the entire nation.
Dignitaries present included National Chairman Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, presidential aspirants Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Isaac Osei, Alan Kyerematen and former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama.
Others were Dr. K.K. Apraku, Sheikh I.C. Quaye, Nana Ohene Ntow, Stephen Asamoah-Boateng and others.
Addressing the congregation, Nana Akufo-Addo said “let us give thanks to the Almighty God for His dominion over last Saturday’s historic presidential primary of the New Patriotic Party. Praise and glory be to His name for the peace and solidarity that prevailed. Amen.”
He stated “I have been humbled by the fact that I received from our party the greatest endorsement ever of any leader of our political tradition.
The hand of God was clearly upon that outcome. And, I draw further inspiration from the words of Micah 6:8.”
Nana Akufo-Addo said the outcome of the presidential primary of August 7 was “another monumental testament that God has a special interest in the protection and promotion of Ghana’s multi-party democracy and in the NPP’s major role in that national project.
“The sincere efforts by everybody involved, from candidates to their supporters, to use the success of Saturday to foster unity within the NPP offer us ample evidence of the significant benefits that can be derived from a peaceful, free, fair and transparent election process.”
“Permit me, Reverend Fathers, to pledge in this holy house of the Lord that for the December 2012 general election, the behaviour and attitude of the NPP will be proactive to ensure that the integrity of Ghana’s electoral process is enhanced for the sake of our democracy and the peace of our nation,” Nana Akufo-Addo stated.
He said the NPP envisaged a system of governance that provides the best of public services for every citizen, including an effective public healthcare system, access to a secure and reliable justice system and unfettered access to quality education in Ghana that rivals any in the world.
A message by the former President, J.A. Kufuor, read by former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, called for unity among the rank and file of the party to unseat the NDC in 2012.
After the thanksgiving service, a reception was held at the forecourt of the church for the congregants and some took advantage to interact with Nana Akufo-Addo and other dignitaries