Accra, Jan. 05, GNA - Right Reverend Alan McDonald, Moderator of Church of Scotland (World Vision) on Friday arrived in Ghana for a two week pastoral visit declaring that the new form of slavery, human trafficking should be abolished.

He said "There is a new form of slavery that is rearing its head in modern times which is human trafficking. This should be stopped at all cost since we could by no means tolerate any semblance of the dark ages of slavery and the Church should not relent in its efforts to quell this problem."

Rev McDonald told journalists on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport that the Church of Scotland and Presbyterian Church of Ghana had long standing relations and one significant aspect of his visit was on the eve of Ghana's 50th Independence anniversary. He was accompanied by his wife Judith, Professor Ken Ross, General Secretary of World Mission Council and Rev. George Baar, a Chaplain. Rev. McDonald said this year marked 200 years since slavery was abolished and a landmark to his visit.

He noted that although several Scots might have been guilty of the trade, several others also played significant roles towards its abolition and the Church of Scotland was one institution that contributed immensely towards the abolition.

Rev. MacDonald said just as it had done in the past, the church was still committed to offering assistance to Ghana in education and agriculture.

He recalled the vital role played by the Church of Scotland in the early development of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, adding that this could be seen in the similarities between members of the two churches. Rev. McDonald observed that there was hardly any difference in the style of worship, church procedures and other vital aspects of worship. Right Rev. Dr Yaw Frimpong Manso, Moderator of the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church of Ghana, who met Rev McDonald and his delegation, noted that this was the first working visit from a Moderator of the Church of Scotland in many years.

He said Ghana had benefited immensely from the Church of Scotland and expressed the hope that the visit would not only be beneficial to Presbyterian Church of Ghana but the entire nation.

The visit which is the first by Rev McDonald to a West African country, seeks to strengthen the relationship between the Church of Scotland, Presbyterian Church of Ghana and Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana who are hosting the delegation.