Azani (W/R), May 12, GNA - Mr Kofi Totobi-Quakyi, a member of the Regimanuel Emmanuel Methodist Church in Accra said it was only prayers that can sustain Christians to overcome the challenges of life. He said the present economic crisis facing the world should not scare Christians if they engaged seriously in prayer. Without prayers, the survival of the Christian will be meaningless and the Glory of God will not be visible in the life of that Christian, he said.

Mr Quakyi said this at a sod cutting ceremony for construction works to begin on the William Degraft Retreat Centre at Azani near Dixcove on Tuesday.

The project valued at GH A2 1,034,161.31, to be completed in five years, is one of the new innovations of the Sekondi-Diocese of the Methodist Church, to provide accommodation for its members and the public as a whole and to generate income to support the activities of the church.

The project consists of two hostels, retreat centre, chapel and conference room facilities and a parking lot. "Prayer has been an important part of me over the last few years and we must all take our prayer life serious," Mr Totobi-Quakyi stressed.

He said Ghanaians and Christians in particular must give towards the work of God and ensure that the gospel of Christ is spread throughout the world.

"We cannot expect non-Christians to give towards the work of God and we must all be serious and give generously towards this project. The Right Reverend John Harvey-Ewusi, Bishop of the Sekondi Diocese charged all Methodists to demonstrate their commitment by contributing in both cash and kind towards the project. Mrs Hagar A. Ntarmah, Lay Chairman of the Sekondi Diocese of the Methodist Church said in May 2007, the decision to begin the hostel and other projects was adopted and series of fund raising activities were undertaken to mobilize funds for the project. She said the hostel is aimed at providing accommodation for travellers along the Agona Nkwanta, Dixcove, Busua and Cape Three Points routes, while at the same time serving the needs of members of the church and others who go to the retreat centre for spiritual revival and growth.

Mrs. Ntarmah said documentation on the 5.05 acres of land for the project had been done, and as part of the contract, some indigenes with artisan skills from Dixcove, Agona, Busua will be recruited to complement the efforts of the contractor on the projects. She said apart from the retreat centre, plans are underway to begin a Teacher Training College at Abura Ahanta and a Nurses Training College at Dixcove.