Mahama urges churches to promote integrity, protect vulnerable people

President John Dramani Mahama has urged churches to promote integrity in public life, protect vulnerable people and expand opportunities for young people, saying their influence must extend beyond places of worship into communities.

Speaking at the opening of the 10th Triennial Congress of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship in Accra on Wednesday, Mr Mahama said Christian faith should be reflected in practical service, responsible citizenship and a commitment to peace.

“Our faith should deepen our humility. It must strengthen our respect for our citizens. It must imbue us with honesty and integrity,” he said, addressing delegates from different countries gathered for the congress.

The president said public officials had a particular responsibility to serve conscientiously, especially those whose voices were least likely to reach the centres of power.

He added that prayers offered for leaders should remind them of their obligation to serve the public with integrity and accountability.

Churches urged to support young people

Mr Mahama said churches and households must provide safe environments where young people could ask questions, receive guidance and develop their abilities.

He said young people faced growing pressures from technology, misinformation and social comparisons, while many struggled to find purpose and cope with anxiety.

Speaking as a father, he urged church leaders and families to mentor the younger generation by listening to them, giving them opportunities to serve and setting examples of integrity.

“Our churches and our households must therefore be places where these young people can ask honest questions and receive thoughtful guidance,” he said.

He also called on churches to strengthen safeguards for children and vulnerable people, stressing that spiritual authority carried a duty of care.

“Spiritual authority entails a duty of care. We must safeguard trust through responsible conduct, clear safeguards, and accountability,” he said.

The president further called for greater recognition of women’s contributions to church life, urging the fellowship to ensure that their wisdom, gifts and leadership were heard and valued.

Faith must translate into practical service

Mr Mahama said the church’s mission should be demonstrated through practical support for people facing hardship, including feeding hungry children, caring for patients, equipping young people with skills and supporting families in difficulty.

He encouraged delegates to strengthen the relationship between preaching the gospel and serving communities.

He said the impact of the congress should be evident in everyday life, including the conduct of teachers, business owners, health workers, employers and public servants.

“A world fellowship grows stronger when its members share both their gifts and their burdens,” he said.

The president also called for respect for different cultures, languages and traditions, saying every nation and community had something valuable to contribute to the global church.

He urged delegates from large and small congregations alike to learn from one another and find ways to support churches operating with fewer resources or in difficult circumstances.

Call for lasting partnerships

Mr Mahama said the congress, which he noted had attracted more than 10,000 participants, should produce lasting partnerships between churches and practical initiatives to support communities.

He encouraged delegates to return home with concrete commitments, including mentoring young people, supporting schools and health ministries, and assisting congregations facing hardship.

“The lasting story of this congress will be written in the lives that we touch after the closing prayer,” he said.

The president and First Lady Lordina Mahama attended the event as members of the Assemblies of God Church. He thanked the church in Ghana, organisers, volunteers and public institutions involved in hosting the gathering.

Welcoming delegates on behalf of the government and people of Ghana, Mr Mahama said the congress offered an opportunity for Christians from different backgrounds to renew their shared commitment to the Great Commission, as set out in Matthew 28:18-20.

He wished participants fruitful deliberations, a memorable stay in Ghana and safe journeys home.

The 10th Triennial Congress of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship brings together church leaders and members from different nations for fellowship, deliberations and renewed commitment to the organisation’s global mission.

The event schedule confirms that Mr Mahama delivered the welcome address on Wednesday, October 14, at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre. The congress runs until October 16 under the theme “Commissioned: One Mandate, Every Nation”.