A thanksgiving service has been held at the Gaddiel Acquah Methodist Cathedral in Tarkwa to climax the Most Reverend Professor Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu’s pastoral visit to the Tarkwa diocese.
The five-day visit allowed the presiding bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana to directly experience and understand the environment in which his bishops and ministers worked.
He was accompanied by his wife Mrs Theodora Asamoah-Gyadu.
Some towns visited include Wassa Simpa, Tamso, Bogoso, Asankrangwa, Wassa Dominase, Enchi, Diaso, Dunkwa-On-Offin, Meretweso, Ayamfuri and Wassa Akropong.
The Most Rev Prof. Asamoah-Gyadu explained that Tarkwa was carved out of the Sekondi diocese and as the presiding bishop it was his duty to visit as many dioceses as possible each year.
“By God’ s grace, I decided to come to Tarkwa diocese, currently led by Right Reverend Dr. Samuel Dua Dodd. I travelled to several towns and villages, using both tarred and rough roads. Despite the fatigue, the trip was incredibly fulfilling,” he indicated.
He also said, “I have gained a lot from travelling to these areas but what struck me most during my visit was the exuberance and enthusiasm with which people worshipped.”
Delivering a sermon on the topic: “Christ embraces everyone” the presiding bishop chose a passage from Luke chapter seven, where a woman attended a party without invitation and the host condemned her, but Jesus welcomed her.”
According to him, “We are people who are very diverse in language, ethnic backgrounds and among others, but our high school boarding system has played a significant role in uniting people with varied ethnic origins”.
“Unfortunately, when it comes to power and politics, we resort to using ethnicity and partisanship to create divisions among citizens, which is not the most effective approach,” the presiding bishop stated.
He reminded Ghanaians to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued, adding, “let’s aim to be a nation that welcomes and affirms people from all walks of life”.
Source: GNA
