Aburi (ER), Nov. 12, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills, on Friday, stressed the need for an effective state and church collaboration, to address issues of national interest for the ultimate benefit of the nation. He expressed appreciation to the clergy and the Christian community for their participation in this year's national week of prayer and thanksgiving, as well as their prayer support.

President Mills made the remarks prior to a closed-door meeting with the clergymen from across the Christian community, at the Peduase Lodge, near Aburi, in the Eastern Region, to discuss issues of national interest. The President said he was impressed with the attendance at the climax of this year's national prayer and thanksgiving and expressed the hope that next year would see a greater participation.

Some of the issues expected to be discussed are concerns on national security, the intra- and inter- party polarisation, moral values and the resurgence of politics of insults on the national scene.

According to Mr Koku Anyidoho, Head of Communications at the Office of the President, the President impressed on the clergy to continue being the conscience of the nation and let their voices be heard on national issues. Mr Anyidoho said the President also listened to the clergy on their suggestions on governance.

In a welcoming address, the Rev. Dr. Nii Amo Darko, Member of the Council of State, said the church had a strong role to play in nation-building.

He said society thrived when the family, the government and the church played their roles well. He also stressed the need for a stronger and effective church and state collaboration for rapid national development. With examples from the Bible, where the state and church collaborated for the benefit of nations and their allies, Rev. Dr. Amo Darko said there were modern examples also of nations that had benefited, when the church teamed up with the state in addressing national concerns. Some of the clergy present at the meeting, which was at the invitation of the President, were the Rev. Dr. Yaw Frimpong-Manso, outgoing Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana; the Rev. Dr. Fred Deegbe, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana; the Rev Dr Seth Ablorh of the Manna Mission, the Rev. Dr. Robert Ampiah-Kwofie of the Global Revival Ministries; Archbishop Duncan Williams of the Action Faith Ministries; the Rev. Dr. Christie Doe-Tetteh of Solid Rock Chapel International; and the Rev. Tackie Yarboi of the Victory Bible Church.

There were representatives from the Christian Council of Ghana, the Catholic Bishops' Conference, the Ghana Pentecostal Council, the Charismatic Christian Association and the Independent Churches Association of Ghana. Some Government officials present were Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, Minister for Employment and Social Welfare and Mr Alex Segbefia, Deputy Chief of Staff. 12 Nov. 10