Akim Oda, (E/R) Oct. 30, GNA - The Minister of Education and Sports, Mr. Yaw Osafo Marfo said that it was time that what was due teachers was paid to them and not to hide under the excuse of their large numbers to deprive them of incentives genuinely due them.

He said the government was not insensitive to the plight, and gave the assurance that the President would soon meet a cross-section of teachers at Cape Coast on Thursday where incentive packages would be announced to them.

Mr Osafo-Marfo was speaking as the Guest of Honour at the 10th anniversary celebration of the West Akyem Presbytery(WAP) of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Akim Oda on Saturday. He condemned the attitude of some religious leaders who were promising people miracles and visas, thereby drawing them away from their work places.

Mr Osafo-Marfo said instead of those able body people being encouraged to apply their God given potentials and talents to earn a living, they are rather encouraged to parade the corridors of "self proclaim redeemers" looking for non- existing visas for foreign countries.

He charged Christians to move on in life by working hard, whilst applying the principle that, "if a man would not work, he should not eat."

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Dr. Yaw Frimpong-Manso called for concerted efforts from religious organizations to promote unity in the country to help bring about progress.

He therefore, called on Christians to publicly condemn people whose actions and utterances may turn to plunge the country into chaos, saying, "we would not have any place to run to when the country is in crisis."

Rt. Rev. Dr. Frimpong-Manso urged churches to focus their attention on the aged, widows and children in their midst by assisting them financially to help improve upon their standard of living. The Moderator, who expressed concern about lukewarm attitude of the youth towards communal labour in recent times, appealed to teachers to take up the challenge to inculcate the need for hardwork among children.

Earlier in the day, Rev. Dr. Frimpong-Manso dedicated an 800-million cedi manse for the WAP at Akim Oda and also cut the sod for the construction of a new chapel at Akyem Batabi. The Birim South District Chief Executive, Mr Frank Kwame Busumtwi, in a welcoming address, urged Christians to reflect on society today, especially with regard, to indiscipline among the youth as well as child delinquency.

He advised them to intensify teachings on good parenting and impart good Christian youth doctrines to their children so they would not go astray.

A first copy of the anniversary's brochure which was auctioned by the West Akim Presbytery Chairperson, Rev. Mrs. Alice Kyei Anti was bought for two million cedis.