Sekondi, April3, GNA - Most Reverend Dr. Scott Earl McLaughlin, Primate and Archbishop of the Orthodox Anglican Communion, on Thursday paid separate courtesy calls on Mr Anthony Evans Amoah, Western Regional Minister and Mr Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Chief Executive at Sekondi.

He was accompanied by the Right Reverend Hesbon Njera, Presiding Bishop of Kenya and Right Reverend Alphonse Mifika, Presiding Bishop of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Archbishop McLaughlin said he is in the country to consecrate and enthrone Very Reverend Dr Jacob Augustine Welbourne as the first Bishop of the Orthodox Anglican Church of Ghana on Sunday April 6, this year. He said the solemn service would be held in the Cathedral Church of the Resurrection in the Diocese of Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles at Sekondi.

Archbishop McLaughlin said the Church would be run by Ghanaians and urged the people to remain united during and after the 2008 elections. He was happy about the religious freedom and tolerance that made it easy for Christians to confess and witness their faith. Mr Amoah said the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) was interested in the affairs of the church and the consecration of the Bishop because as the Yoruba proverb has it "He who brings cola brings life".

He said the RCC would lend its support and be part of the programme to make it a success. Mr Nkrumah said the Church and the state should play complimentary roles in the development of the individual and the nation. He said the state sometimes intervened during internal crisis of the churches because of the complimentary role of the state and the church. Mr Nkrumah said the church and state shared common visions and should collaborate to foster peace. Mr Kwesi Blay, Deputy Western Regional Minister and Mr David Yaro, Chief Director of the RCC were present during the courtesy call on the Regional Minister.