Regional News of Thursday, 18 September 2008

Source: GNA

Good News Evang. Mission cries for rehabilitation centre

Accra, Sept. 18 GNA - The Reverend Godson King Akpalu, General Overseer of the Good News Evangelical Mission International (GONEMI), has appealed to government, donors, philanthropists and well-meaning Ghanaians to complement the church's effort in providing a rehabilitate centre for the church.

"For a little over two years of GONEMI's existence, by the grace of God, we have reached out to several prostitutes, armed robbers, drug addicts, people with mental problems among other so called social misfits who have given up on their former 'professions' and have surrendered their lives to Jesus," he said.

"Most of these born again men and women with their dependants put up with the General Overseer and his family at the Mission's headquarters at Darkuman while the others go on mission," he said. Rev Akpalu who is also the President of the Ghana Mental Health Association (GMHA) told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after the Mission ended its Second General Assembly that they had resolved to rid the nation of social misfits to make Ghana a safe haven for all.

The General Assembly was under the theme; "Seeking and Saving that which is lost."

He said their dream to rid the nation of the activities of criminals and social misfits would only be realized when those won by the grace of God were provided with, food, clothing and shelter and given alternative livelihoods.

Rev. Akpalu said GONEMI had a special calling and grace to get into the ghettos and rescue those who were lost and to make them better people.

"After accepting Jesus, we have to set our unfortunate brethrens up properly, so that they would not go back to their previous lives," he added.

He recalled that during GONEMI's mission week celebrations last month, about 225 prostitutes who operated at various locations in the Accra metropolis said they would give up the world's oldest profession if they were given alternative livelihood to support them and their dependants.

"Some of these prostitutes and their dependants are with us now. We need to settle them so that they can have new beginning, marry and have their own families", said the man of God.

"Last year for instance, we had to take over 150 men and women who were drug addicts and pushers and lived in ghettos within the Community One Site Two of the Tema Municipality to undergo rehabilitation at the Kordiabe Voluntary Training Centre in the Eastern Region.

"Sustaining these people alone is quite difficult so we want all, especially the government and philanthropists, to come to our aid so we can have a decent rehabilitation centre to meet all their needs."

The General Assembly which is the highest decision making body of the Mission in a communiqu=E9 resolved to undertake projects in fish farming, bakery, sachet water production, super markets and transportation.

Each of the branches throughout the country would undertake the project, which would be most beneficial to their community, it said.