Akropong Akuapem, April, 23, GNA - The Akuapem Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana is to spend between GH¢ 8,000 to GH¢ 10,000 every year to sponsor young people who are trying to improve upon their lives through formal education in higher institutions. The Reverend Dr Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, Chairperson of the Presbytery, announced this at the opening of the 82nd Presbytery Conference at Akropong on Wednesday. The six-day conference was attended by over 250 delegates, including both lay and ordained from all the 19 districts that form the presbytery.

Rev. Dr Mante said that decision was based on the fact that a lot of young people who were capable of contributing their quota to the socio economic development of the presbytery, their families and the country ended up at the basic or senior high school due to lack of financial support.

He appealed to the congregations and individuals in and outside the presbytery to support the laudable idea to ensure that more people would benefit from the scholarship scheme. Rev. Dr Mante expressed concern about the falling standards of education in the country and called for a holistic collaboration between the government and the religious bodies to find solutions. Rev Dr Mante announced that the presbytery was undertaking a number of projects, including a new office complex which is about 80 percent complete and other projects, which were part of the five- year development agenda of the presbytery. The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, commended the Presbyterian Church of Ghana on its role in the socio-economic development of the country over the years. He observed that provision of quality education in the country would depend to a large extent on total collaboration between both government and all stakeholders and urged the religious bodies to continue to play their roles.