Methodist Church assists in the fight against guinea worm

Spread, September 15/2008

Story & Picture: Charles Benoni Okine

THE Methodist Church of Ghana has undertaken a major initiative to help in the country’s fight against guinea worm infestation.
Consequently, it has acquired a $50,000 drill rig to drill boreholes to provide potable water for people in all guinea worm infested areas.
The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, the Most Reverend Dr Robert Aboagye Mensah, dedicated the rig yesterday after a major fund-raising service at the Mount Olivet Methodist Church at Dansoman.
The service, which formed part of measures by the church to raise funds to support the activities of the Methodist Development and Relief Services (MDRS), the social responsibility wing of the church, was supported with melodious songs from the singing band to encourage the congregation to give generously.
Most Reverend Aboagye-Mensah said the church was concerned about the position of Ghana as the second in the world with the highest guinea worm infestation after Sudan.
“In Sudan, there is war and famine so they could be excused but not in Ghana where we have peace and also have what it takes to do what is right,” he added
He said the church was leading the way as part of its social responsibilities to help people in the deprived areas without water with boreholes fitted with pumps.
Most Rev. Aboagye-Mensah said the MDRS was barely three years old but had done a lot with the support of the members of the church and other international Methodist bodies.
He encouraged the members to continue to show love and affection for their brothers and sisters in the deprived areas to enable them to also enjoy better life.
The Presiding Bishop said there were other initiatives such as the foster homes that the MDRS was running and entreated members to donate generously towards their upkeep.
Most Reverend Aboagye-Mensah expressed the gratitude of the leadership of the church to the Mount Olivet congregation, particularly Very Rev. Titus Awortwi-Pratt, the Superintendent Minister of the Dansoman Circuit of the church, for allowing the MDRS to use its premises to raise funds and also launch the new water drill rig.
On his part the Very Rev. Asare Bediako, who is in charge of the MDRS, said through the support of the members of the church, the MDRS was able to discharge its responsibilities.
“The task ahead of the MDRS is huge and it will require the continuos support of the members of the Methodist Church to be able to meet the challenges ahead,” he said and admonished them to continue to show love and affection to the poor and needy in society.