The Ahafo Regional Minister, Hon. Charity Gardiner on Friday 28th February, 2025 met with the leadership of the various religious organisations in Goaso at the Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council Conference Hall as part of her engagements with key stakeholders in the Region. The meeting was attended by leaders from the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Local Council of Churches, Catholic Bishop of the Goaso Diocese, Area Head of the Church of Pentecost, Assemblies of God Church, Ministers in Charge of the Presbyterian Church, Baptist Church, Regional Chief Imam, among many other leaders of churches.
The interaction was intended to formally introduce the Hon. Charity Gardiner to the heads of religious organisations as the Ahafo Regional Minister. It was also to share ideas on ways to promote inclusive and coordinated development in the Region where no individual or group of persons was left behind.
In his opening remarks to set the tone for the engagements, Mr. Sampson Amoako Kwarteng, the Chief Director for the Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council, underscored the need for all hands to be on deck in the quest to enhance rapid socio-economic development. He added that, the heads of religious organisations remain one of the core groups that could not be done away with since they provide spiritual, psychological and emotional guidance to the citizenry. He indicated that, to a large extent, the religious leaders awaken the conscience of duty bearers with their messages.
The religious leaders took turns to assure the Hon. Regional Minister of their unwavering support to carry out her duties in the high office she occupies thereby uplifting the good image of the region.
The religious leaders also seized the opportunity to provide pieces of advice to the Regional Minister. They highlighted the need to serve the people and not power. They entreated Hon. Charity Gardiner to maintain friendly and approachable demeanour at all times while serving as mother for all. The Hon. Regional Minister was further encouraged to be firm and fair in her leadership.
In addition, the leaders emphasised that being transparent and accountable were necessary traits to exhibit as a public office holder since such would build confidence amongst the public.
Addressing the meeting, Hon. Charity Gardiner expressed her deep sense of gratitude to the religious leaders for honouring the invitation to be part of the engagements. She extended warm felicitations from His Excellency the President to the religious leaders in the region. Hon. Gardiner observed that the religious bodies had been formidable partners in the development of the nation as they had built schools, hospitals, social centres, libraries among others.
The Hon. Regional Minister informed the meeting that, she had instituted a Regional Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving which she believed would help uplift the Ahafo Region spiritually as well as advance its developmental and economic pursuits.
Climaxing the meeting were a series of prayers by the various religious leaders for the Hon. Regional Minister and the government.