The Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Kwaku Asante, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana has reminded all working professionals not to abandon the power and presence of God in their service to the nation.

“The working populace, be it teachers, nurses, doctors, pastors and farmers should understand that it is by the grace of God that they existed and also have knowledge to perform, and that, all their doings should be one that glorifies and pleases the name of the Almighty God”, he stressed.

The Presiding Bishop, who was opening the 8th Biennial Connexional Conference of the Methodist Ministers’ Spouses Association at Obuasi, stressed that, industrial actions were bound to happen in every country among dissatisfied workers, but my plea was that those professional involved should exercise their actions “ with the heart “.

He particularly expressed regret about the industrial action by doctors and observed that they should work not only for monetary gains but should appreciate the fact that their work was a service to the nation and also a service to magnify and honour the name of God.

The Most Rev. Prof. Asante stressed that whatever decent job one was doing, was a service to God, and that, the working populace should bear in mind that they would account for their stewardship someday.

Touching on the theme of the conference “ Witnessing to Christ: holistic spirituality- the role of the Ministers’ Spouses”, he prayed that the good Lord would strengthen the association to continue to pray for the growth and spiritual development of the ministry and also for the proper training of their children.

The Presiding Bishop encouraged the mothers to be faithful in their commitment to Christ and to participate in corporate worship, advising that, unnecessary fashions in the church should be avoided. “You better stop it, because it does not please God”, he added.

The Rt. Rev. Stephen R. Bosomtwe –Ayensu, the Bishop of the Obuasi Diocese of the Church, said the organisation of the conference at Obuasi was an honour to the diocese, and that, the Diocese would continue to strive to ensure the growth and development of the Church, being the gateway of Methodism in Ghana.

He said the Obuasi Diocese was the 12th on the list of the dioceses of the church, serving about three traditional areas with 18 circuits and philosophised that Obuasi was a golden diocese, and that, whatever the association did at the conference would be golden.

Mr K. O. Akomeah, the Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, in his welcome address, said the theme of the conference was appropriate in this era of unprecedented moral decadence that was being witnessed in the Ghanaian society. “As true followers and ambassadors of Christ, let us use our influence positively to transform our society and also win souls for Christ”, he added.

The President of the Association, Mrs Comfort Asante hoped the association would enjoy qualitative growth in spirituality with constant prayers and fellowship, urging that, the members should develop the spirit of supporting the needy in the society.

Mrs Asante said the association grants loans to members to set up small scale enterprises, but added that, they were encountering some difficulties in the recovery of the loans and advised all beneficiaries to be committed to the refund to enable others to benefit.