Aliu calls for accelerated development

Spread, September 9/2008

Story: Charles Benoni Okine & Gifty Appiah

VICE President Alhaji Aliu Mahama has called on leaders in the country to bring their collective leadership skills to bear on efforts to accelerate the development and growth of the nation.
He said the nation had abundant human and natural resources, hence the need for men and women with exceptional vision and proven track record to add value to enable the country to realise its dreams.
Alhaji Mahama made the call at a farewell service in Accra at the weekend for Apostle Dr M.K. Ntumy, the immediate past Chairman of the Church of Pentecost.
Described by the leadership, congregation and others as one of the most visionary and dynamic leaders of the church, Apostle Ntumy served in that capacity for 10 years.
Under his tenure, the overall membership of the church grew from 800,000 in 1997 to 1,700,000 at the end of 2007 while the number of ministers rose from 508 to 1,284 and lay leaders from 38838 to 90,042.
Apostle Ntumy leaves for Germany with his family to begin another service in the name of the church.
Enthused by the track record of Dr Ntumy, Alhaji Mahama, who recounted how he met the past chairman, joined the many leaders who testified to his adorable leadership to describe the man of God as a true servant leader.
“I attribute all the successes to the grace of God on Dr Ntumy’s life and ministry, his vision, charisma and humility,” he said as he paid a glowing tribute to Apostle Ntumy.
It was against this background that the Vice President admonished that “whether we are traditional, religious or secular leaders, the fear of God is important as we seek to find solutions to the many problems of society”.
Alhaji Mahama, clad in an elegant and well designed white ‘agbada’ with a well polished black shoe and a Muslim hat to match, said a resource-rich society might find itself poor because of Godless and visionless leadership.
“Society thrives when men and women of vision, inspired by their faith, transform the God-given resources of the land into benefits for the people,” he said.
Alhaji Mahama expressed the hope that Apostle Ntumy and his family would continue to enjoy divine protection and favour as they took their posting to the mission in Germany.
Early on, the leadership and the various groups in the church paid glowing tributes bearing testimony to the works of Apostle Ntumy during his 10-year reign.
They described him as a man who devoted his life to the church and contributed immensely to its growth, an achievement they would forever cherish.
The achievements of Apostle Ntumy, as enumerated at the service by all the speakers, would pose a huge challenge for his successor, Apostle Dr Opoku Onyinah, who prayed for long life and prosperity and God’s guidance for Apostle Ntumy in his future endeavours.