Bekwai (Ash), May 6, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo on Thursday said the upsurge of violence and indiscipline in the society was an indictment on Christianity. In a speech read for him at the eighth annual synod of the Obuasi diocese of the Methodist Church at Bekwai, Mr Boafo said violence and other forms of indiscipline had come about because most of the people had been denied the opportunity to hear the word of God. "There is upsurge of violence, immorality, deceit and sheer wickedness. These things are happening because the gospel of salvation which liberates people from the bondage of sin has not gone far enough", he stressed.

The theme for the four-day synod was: "Evangelism, The Main Business of the Church".

Mr Boafo blamed the church for failing to send the word to the people, especially the rural majority. "The churches, unfortunately are concentrated in the cities and urban centres at the expense of the rural communities".

He challenged the Methodist church and other Christian groups to intensify their evangelism programme until the entire nation had been won for Christ.

Nana Karikari Apau II, Omanhene of Bekwai Traditional Area, noted that both the Christian and non-Christian communities had a responsibility to the nation. "We have to support the government in its efforts towards the attainment of peace and stability in the country," he said, adding that no meaningful development could be achieved if the nation was plunged into chaos.

The Bekwaihene urged Ghanaians to avoid divisive tendencies that were likely to disrupt the peace the people were enjoying. Nana Karikari Apau criticised the way families were spending heavily on funerals at the expense of their children's education. 06 May 05