Regional News of Thursday, 7 July 2016

Source: Richard Kwasi Adjei Agyapong

RRC marks 25 years, refurbishes correctional centre

Dr. Philip K. Amoo in a handshake with ASP Joseph Kaguah Dr. Philip K. Amoo in a handshake with ASP Joseph Kaguah

Revival Restoration Centre (RRC), a local assembly of Assemblies of God Ghana located at Roman Ridge, Accra has marked 25 years of bringing hope to many around the country.

The church which began from a humble beginning with nine adults and two children under a canopy now proud herself with an ultramodern edifice with over one thousand members.

As part of activities marking the 25th anniversary celebrations, the church refurbished and provided electrical tools and equipment to the Electrical Workshop of the Ghana Prisons Service’s Juvenile Correctional Centre in Roman Ridge in Accra.

The tools and equipment comprised drilling machines, tool boxes, ladders, switches, galvanised pipes, cables, PVC pipes, circuit boards, a shelve, work bench, boards and hammers.

Making the presentation, Chairman of the 25th Anniversary Planning Committee, Dr. Philip K. Amoo, said the church, as an agent of change in society, was committed to the welfare of inmates despite their actions and inactions.

According to him, it was important that society help inmates to acquire skills and improve on their capabilities for easy integration into the society in the event of their release.

He explained that RRC A/G was moved by these principles to refurbish the Electrical Workshop and stock it with the necessary tools and equipment, adding that the Church has already put in place plans to provide enough modern tools and equipment to facilitate teaching and learning.

"We are pledging to provide other tools and equipment of modern standards to equip teachers with the right materials for teaching and learning with the required incentives to learn the skill," he said.

Officer-in-charge of Industries at the Centre, ASP Joseph Kaguah, expressed gratitude to RRC A/G for embarking on an initiative primarily aimed at offering skills and training to prison inmates.

He noted that the welfare of prison inmates was a shared responsibility and called for a concerted effort to make life easy for them in their reintegration into the society.

Welcoming the initiative, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Hon. Emmanuel Agyarko, commended the Church for making steps towards securing the welfare of prisoners.

He noted that inmates will be well-placed to begin a new life after acquiring such employable skills and tasked the authorities to make maximum use of the tools and equipment to impact skills in the inmates.

Earlier at the anniversary service, the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, Her Ladyship Justice Georgina T. Wood, called on religious institutions to inculcate tolerance and peace among Ghanaians to aid the pursuit of development of the country.

According to her, peace and security required for development, was a consequence of tolerance and harmony among citizens from diverse backgrounds and opinions.

This, she said, requires members of religious organisations to conduct themselves soberly and obediently towards the leadership.

She cautioned against lack of trust and confidence in religious leaders as they represent God’s authority on the earth adding that their counsel was relevant to maintain society’s standards and morals.

Her Ladyship Justice Wood urged Ghanaians to reflect on their shortfalls in their contributions to the country’s development advocated for strategies aimed at ensuring everyone participated in the process.

“We must commit and dedicate ourselves to the growth of the country despite our standing in society,” she said.
Delivering the sermon, the General Superintendent, Assemblies of God, Ghana, Rev. Dr. Paul Frimpong Manso, tasked Christians to be agent of change in the society stressing the need for individuals to be proactive in helping to eradicate a canker of filth to improve society.

He bemoaned the lack of will of organisations and agencies in performing their responsibilities effectively and called for a concerted effort to make the country a better place.

The Reverend Minister urged Ghanaians to continue exercising faith and trust in God, doing away with blame games and refocusing on the important things needed to improve lives.

The Founder and Head Pastor of RRC, Apostle Dr. Alex Nkrumah in an interview with the media called on Ghanaians to scrutinise the policies and ideologies of political parties and vote into power the one best fits to lead the country better.

The church since its establishment in 1990 has planted over 20 churches on its own during its annual missions and have strengthen many weak churches.

The church also adopted 5 A/G churches in the Upper West region with monthly financial and logistical support for 24 months in 1998-2000.

The anniversary was held under the theme: “Rejoicing in God’s Grace.”