Aburi (ER), Nov. 12, GNA - Clergymen from across the Christian divid= e have at a meeting with President John Evans Atta Mills, over national concerns, proposed the establishment of a security fund to fully resource=

the security agencies for the effective protection of life and property. They suggested that the fund should operate like the GETFund, where it would receive a percentage of national taxes to fully equip the security agencies, particularly the police. The meeting, at the instance of the President, was held on Friday at=

the Peduase Lodge, near Aburi, in the Eastern Region.

It discussed issues of national concern such as the rising intra- an= d inter- political polarisation, armed robbery, the resurgence of politics of insults and the general moral degeneration, among others. Briefing the media after the meeting, Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, Minister=

for Employment and Social Welfare, said the meeting noted with concern, t= he resurgence of security problems and corruption issues, especially at the ports. He said both parties noted the need to work together to tackle the issues dispassionately, devoid of political leanings, since the issues cu= t across the political divide. According to the Minister, the meeting observed that those involved in armed robbery were in their 20s, and called for the re-introduction of religious and moral education in the basic school curriculum. He said the meeting observed the need for the clergy to go beyond th= e pulpit and personally engage and advise political office holders in their=

various denominations to be responsible and accountable. The President urged the clergy to let their voices be heard and continue to be the conscience of society.

Mr Mensah said there was an agreement for the President to meet quarterly with the clergy to address issues of national concern. Some of the clergy present at the meeting, which was at the invitati= on of the President, were the Rev. Dr. Yaw Frimpong-Manso, outgoing Moderat= or 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 th= e Manna Mission, the Rev. Dr. Robert Ampiah-Kwofie of the Global Revival Ministries; Archbishop Duncan Williams of the Action Faith Ministries; th= e 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 Charisma= tic Christian Association and the Independent Churches Association of Ghana. Some Government officials present were Mr Alex Segbefia, Deputy Chie= f of Staff, the Rev. Dr. Nii Amo Darko, Member of the Council of State and Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister.