Accra, Feb 29, GNA - A 20-billion-cedi Development Fund was on Sunday launched by the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), at a thanks-giving service at the Independence Square, as part of activities marking the 20th anniversary celebration of the Church.

The money, which would be raised within a one-year period, would help provide infrastructure at the Central University College (CUC), a brainchild of the church.

Launching the fund, Dr Mensa Otabil, Founder and General Overseer of the Church said, it was gratifying to note that the University College, the Church's educational initiative, had become the leading private institution of higher learning in the country.

For instance, he said, in May last year, CUC turned out its first batch of 281 graduates who pursued various courses leading to the award of Diplomas and Bachelor's Degrees in Theology, Business Administration, Human Resource Management, Banking and Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Management Studies, Executive Secretaryship and Agribusiness.

Dr Otabil, therefore, urged public-spirited Ghanaians to make generous contributions towards the fund, reminding them that when the history of the University, came to be written, their names would be included.

He urged stakeholders in education not to relent in their efforts at helping improve falling standards in education in the country. Pastor Otabil advised Ghanaians to put God first in their lives, so as to experience His choicest blessings in all their endeavours. The theme for the anniversary was: "Divine Experiences."