Kumasi, March 25, GNA - The National Association of Methodist Church Men's Fellowship has embarked on the construction of a three-billion-cedi Educational Retreat Centre at Kwadaso a suburb of Kumasi.

The project would include an auditorium, guesthouse, restaurant and catering services.

About one billion cedis has so far been spent on the project which has reached roofing level.

Mr Asare Yeboah, Chairman of Ashanti Regional Branch of the association, announced this at the 22nd annual delegates' conference of the association in Kumasi on Saturday.

The two-day conference being attended by 250 delegates is under the theme, "The Ancient Faith".

He said the association spent about five million cedis on some members who were in need over the last two years.

Mr Yeboah said the association had undertaken evangelization to win more souls for Jesus Christ and six branches of the association had been inaugurated to bring its branches in Ashanti Region to 66. He called on regional branches of the association to use this year's celebration of 'Men's Day' of the church scheduled for May 20 to raise funds towards the completion of the Centre.

Evangelist Francis Mensah, National President of the Association, said about 250 million cedis has been released for the completion of the project and was optimistic it would be completed before the CAN 2008 tournament.

Mrs Agatha Nhia, Deputy Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Director, expressed concern about increase in social vices and streetism in the country and attributed the causes to broken homes and inability of men to cater for their children.

She appealed to churches to rise to the task by initiating more programmes to address such problems in the society. Oheneba Adusei Poku, Akyempimhene of Kumasi, said Ghana@50 celebration, demanded great responsibilities on men's fellowships in the churches to evolve more educational programmes to enable the people respond positively towards the country's development. 25 March 07