Accra, March 15, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Tuesday stressed the need for an effective Church and State collaboration to realise the country's social and economic transformation. He said both institutions could work hands in glove and complemented each other to bring about improvement in the lives of the people.

President Mills made the observation prior to a closed-door meeting with the Moderator of the Global Evangelical Church, Right Reverend Dr Emmanuel Komla Gbordzoe, who led a delegation from the Executive Council of the Church, to call on him at the Osu Castle, in Accra.

The Council is seeking Government's approval to establish schools across the country.

The Moderator said the Church had about 100,000 members across the 10 Regions of Ghana, and it was their desire to team up with Government to set up and manage schools. Consequently, the Church in 2007 made a formal application to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to establish schools, because its schools were currently being manned by the local authorities. "We appeal to Government to grant the request so that the Church could get its educational unit," he added.

Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu, Minister of Education, who accompanied the delegation, said GES was faced with challenges, and presently needed about 60,000 additional teachers in the classrooms. She said government was happy to partner reputable organisations to bring qualitative education and assured the delegation that Government would consider their request.