Regional News of Saturday, 14 April 2007

Source: GNA

Don't compose songs that promote conflicts -DCE

Agona Swedru, April 14, GNA -The District Chief Executive for Agona Mr Ben Mensah, has reiterated the call on choristers to desist from the habit of composing songs that could promote conflicts at home, church and community.

He said choristers have a unique role to play in promoting peace and reconciliation in the society, instead of creating chaos, anarchy and encouraging immorality.

Mr Mensah said this at the opening of a three-day maiden conference of Association of Methodist Church Choirs at Agona Swedru on Friday. The conference was under the theme: "the role of the chorister in promoting peace at home, church and community". He said the country needed peace to develop and also build a strong economic and political foundation to improve quality living standards of the people.

Mr Mensah stated that the history of Methodist Church vis-=E0-vis its solid foundation in music particularly hymns, could not be grossed over.

He said this rich tradition of good music that church has become synonymous with, has been carried from generation to generation and played an important role in peoples lives and served as 93food for the soul."

The DCE quoted 1st Samuel 16:14-23 when King David used music to calm Saul when an evil spirit tormented him", adding that music was also used by the Israelites to defeat their enemies in a battle. He urged choristers to lead worthy lives good enough for emulation. Say that; "Lord made us instrument of your peace so where there is hatred let your love increase, and wars, prejudice shall ceased" Mr Timothy Ewusi Osam Duodu, former vice President of Methodist Conference urged choristers to apply effective strategies to compose songs that could bring comfort and console the distressed soul. Mr Osam-Duodu who is also Presiding Member of the Agona District Assembly stated; "attending church service, fellowship meetings where prayers are said and testimonies given, the temptation of taking the people to false prophets would be avoided."

Very Reverend John Antwi-Asenso, in-charge of Agona Kwanyako Methodist Church asked choristers to eschew gossip, hatred and rumor mongering, because they could create division in the church. 14 April 07