Mr Afenyo-Markin (right) and other dignitaries laying a wreath in memory of the late Bishop
Ghanaians have been urged to sacrifice and persevere in bringing about the needed societal changes to advance the country’s development.
According to Dr Nathaniel Kwamina Howard, Senior Lecturer, Department of Statistics of the University of Cape Coast, these characteristics were the driving force of past heroes and icons in their pursuit of human and community development.
Speaking at a memorial lecture in honour of the late Reverend Dr Godfred Ngorli Zormelo, a former bishop of the A.M.E Zion Church, at Winneba in the Effutu Municipality on Saturday, he said the country’s development would not far-off if the citizenry cultivate traits that would keep them focused on improving and creating opportunities for the betterment of others.
The event which had the theme, “The Late Rev. Dr G. N. Zormelo: An Epitome of Selfless Sacrifice to the Church and Nation.”
It brought together the Member of Parliament (MP) of the Effutu constituency, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Municipal Chief Executive of Effutu, John B. Ninson, chiefs, clergy, public servants and students among others to celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Zormelo, who passed away in 2013, for his contributions to development in the municipality and beyond.
“He sacrificed for the good of the church. He used his position to build schools, church buildings, mission houses and other vital installations of the church.
In all he did, the focus was to raise and improve the human resource base of the church and promote wellbeing amongst the people. He was indeed man of faith who persevered and endured pain to see others around him grow mentally, physically and spiritually.
This is an icon we should celebrate and strive to emulate if we are to build a prosperous country,” Dr Howard stated.
He explained that, despite ill-health later in his life, the late Bishop Zomelo “did not allow the blindness and ineffective arm to restrict his desire to improve the living conditions of people saying that “he soldiered on to fulfill his service to God and the people resolved to serve God no matter the situation.”
Dr Howard urged the A.M.E. Zion church to institute a programme aimed at providing support to needy members in recognition of the late Bishop’s efforts to care for the poor before he died.
“No story can be told of the church without his name. In this regard, I urge that the church follows exactly what he did by instituting a programme that will care and provide for needy members. Let us build upon the efforts he laid before his demise,” he added.
For his part, Mr Afenyo-Markin described the late Bishop as a “symbol of perseverance and a man of unconquerable spirit” who was determined, hardworking and gave true meaning to Christianity.
His legacy, he said, would be acknowledged with some initiatives to be rolled out by government soon, including the establishment of an Effutu Heritage Museum in Winneba to house important historical facts and documents about the Effutu people.
The MP further made a personal donation of GH¢10,000 in support of the Zormelo Education Fund.
The Bishop of the Western-West Africa Episcopal District of A.M.E Zion Church, Rev. Dr Hilliard Dogbe, said the leadership has renamed the Church’s International Pastors and Leadership Conference after the late Bishop adding that the leadership would further consider any proposal to rename the schools he supported to build after him.
From Claude Nyarko Adams, Winneba
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