The Methodist Church Ghana has started the implementation of a seven-year strategic plan, dubbed “Agenda for Revival and Growth.”
The Bishop of the Sunyani Methodist Diocese, Right Reverend Daniel Kwasi Tannor, explained that based on the connexional strategic plan, dioceses, circuits and societies, are to draw annual action plans.
“Youth unemployment is one of the key challenges facing the nation and the Methodist Church, Ghana in particular. The Diocese will sponsor twenty-five (25) young people selected from the various circuits to undertake skill training to enable them to engage in gainful employment”, the Bishop pointed out.
Bishop Kwasi Tannor disclosed this at the opening of the 43rd Annual Sunyani Diocesan Synod of the Methodist church, Ghana held at the Wesley Chapel at Wamfie in the Dormaa East District in the Bono region.
“The vocation areas for the training include soap making, bakery, mushroom cultivation and beekeeping”, Bishop Kwasi Tannor revealed.
According to the Methodist Bishop, the training would be done by the National Board for Small Scale Businesses (NBSSB) after which the Diocese will donate start-up kits and seed capital to trainees to start their enterprises.
As part of efforts to end the rampant drifting of the youth to other churches, the strategic plan would also include the opportunity for the youth to interact with the Bishop and Lay Chairman to share their challenges and make suggestions to the church. This way, they (youth) will not only have a sense of belonging but they will also have some of their concerns addressed.
Bishop Kwasi Tannor suggested among others, the re-introduction of an elaborate and effective towing system on our roads.
“The government must not relent in its efforts to implement this laudable policy which was shelved under the carpet sometime ago. Besides, there should be a re-awakening of driver-consciousness.”
Youth Ministries Division
The Youth Ministries Division (YMD) is one of the five divisions under the Board of Education and Youth (BEY) mandated by the Church to oversee youth work in the Methodist Church Ghana.
According to the constitution and the standing orders of the church (S.O.239), YMD is responsible for the implementation of youth policies and programmes within the Methodist Church Ghana.
It also plans projects as well as co-ordinates the works of the various youth organisations in the church, including leadership development.
