Wa, July 31, GNA - The Assemblies of God Church has paid premiums for 125 vulnerable individuals and families to enable them benefit from the District Mutual Health Insurance Schemes.

Rev Daniel Ayembila, the Upper West Regional Superintendent of the Church, said this at its 75th anniversary celebration in the region at Wa on Sunday.

Rev Ayembila said the Assemblies of God Church, through its Relief and Development Services (AGREDS- GHANA), would continue to complement government's efforts at national development in line with its aim of blending the spiritual needs of the people with material ones. In that regard, AGREDS is piloting a programme aimed at improving the quality of life of the vulnerable in society, particularly individuals and families affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. AGREDS has registered 150 orphans and vulnerable children in the Jirapa-Lambussie and Lawra districts for a new education project that would be launched in September.

He said over 28 million cedis had been spent in purchasing school materials and building the capacity of caregivers for the take-off of the project.

Mr Ambrose Dery, the Upper West Regional Minister, said the media and the general public had been harsh in their criticisms of churches and pastors and wondered how corrupt the society would have been without the teachings of these churches.

Such criticisms, he said, should be constructive and directed towards growth and development.

Mr Dery urged the Church to use the occasion to pray for religious and political peace in the country and beyond since the Church had the capacity to succeed in that sphere more than any other institution. The Regional Minister commended the church for the socio-economic services it continued to provide to the people and urged it to continue to do more in region.