Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister, has urged churches and other religious bodies to instil in the younger generation the nation’s socio-cultural values and virtues of love, respect and truthfulness.

This, she said, would help to fill and shape them well to become complete and responsible adults to take up leadership of the country.

Mad. Owusu-Banahene gave the advice when she addressed the opening session of the Episcopal Conference Phase of the Synod on Synodality of the Catholic Church underway in Sunyani.

The four-day synod is on the theme: ”For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission” and is attended by mostly Catholic Bishops and Priests across the country.

She emphasised that the youth remained the future leaders of the country and, therefore, needed to be guided in life and the decision-making process.

The Regional Minister, however, lauded the exceptional contribution of the Catholic Church toward the development of the nation.

She emphasised the Church had in the past years, reliably partnered with successive governments in building a better nation and improving the socio-economic livelihoods of the people.

“Aside from the spiritual growth of members, the church’s several interventions, including the provision of schools, scholarships, health facilities, water and sanitation, relief services and micro-credit to vulnerable people, especially women and youth in the country have not gone unnoticed and, therefore, deserved commendation”, Mad. Owusu-Banahene stated.

 ”It is noteworthy to declare the government’s appreciation for the role churches and some religious bodies have played and continue to play in the socio-economic development of the country,” she added.

Mad Owusu-Banahene said the mission of the Catholic Church consolidated in the direction of Jesus Christ for fellowship and lover’s keeper ought to be maintained and more impactful, saying this could be done by encouraging and supporting Christians to preach the gospel “not just in words but in deeds which remain the powerful force of evangelism’’.

She implored the synod to as well deliberate and find strategies aimed at solidifying the country’s security against the growing threat of terrorism within the West African Sub-region.

The Regional Minister said terrorism threatened the peace of the sub-region, saying the act could cause instability and fear to derail national progress.

She, therefore, appealed to the church to partner with the government and security agencies to intensify public sensitization and education on terrorism and extremism by embracing the “see something, say something campaign”.

Most Reverend Philip Naameh, the President of the Ghana Catholics Bishops’ Conference, asked the synod to be guided by the Holy Spirit, reflect on and tackle pertinent challenges confronting the church.

Nana Kwaku Bediako V, President of Subin Traditional Council, said development remained a concerted effort and commended the Catholic Church for its diverse development initiatives.