The Chairperson of the Asante Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) has appealed to religious leaders to work tirelessly to rekindle the positive impact of religion on the society.

The Reverend Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong said religion was losing steadily its impact and significance on the society as majority of the followers were reluctant to uphold the cardinal principles, values and virtues of their doctrines for the betterment of the society.

“We are living in a society where many people profess to know and also believe in God, however, their thoughts, utterances, actions and some practices suggest otherwise”, he lamented.

Reverend Dr Opuni-Frimpong who was addressing the Annual National Delegates’ conference of the Presbyterian Men’s Fellowship in Kumasi, said many followers had lost sight of the reality that “religion stood for truthfulness, honesty, selflessness, compassion for the poor, respect for authority and self-discipline.”

He spoke against the impudence with which some self-proclaimed men of God dissipated public funds and also demonstrated sheer arrogance and unhealthy behaviours when given sensitive positions or asked to occupy public offices to the detriment of the nation’s progress.

The Chairperson challenged religious leaders to strive to re-orient and also sensitize the followers to appreciate the need to bring to bear in their private and public lives the good virtues and values of their respective religions to help the nation achieve its development objectives.

Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, in a speech read on his behalf, lauded the PCG for its devotion to a better society through various initiatives, spiritual and physical development projects.

He said government views the church as a strategic partner in development and urged the leadership to work harder to sustain the gains made in transforming the society.**