The Management of La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly (LaNMMA) on Tuesday , January17, 2023, met with the Leadership of the Bethlehem Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, at Oyarifa to render an unqualified apology to the Church.
The apology was necessitated as a results of the Assembly’s failure to inform the Church about a sod-cutting ceremony to pave way for the construction of a health facility on a land owned by the Church, an incident the Assembly describes as an oversight.
In November last year, the Chief of Oyarifa released an acre of land to the Assembly to facilitate the construction of a CHPS compound for Oyarifa and its adjourning communities. However, at the sod-cutting ceremony on Thursday, January 5, 2022 to officially hand over the project to the contractor, the Presby Church at Oyarifa who are the rightful owners of the land were not invited.
The church however, took a strong exception of the development, and subsequently expressed its displeasure at the turn of events by officially notifying the Assembly.
Leadership of the Bethlehem Congregation believes the Church being the legitimate owner of the land is by extension a key stakeholder and therefore should have been informed initially.
The Minister in Charge of the congregation, Rev. Seth Klu Sowah, said the church was not against the construction of the facility, but rather would support the Assembly to facilitate the completion of the project on time.
According to him the church was aware of the importance of the health facility to the community, however, they should have been informed since the land belongs to the Church.
The Municipal Coordinating Director of the Assembly, Madam Kwesiwa Kyei who led the delegation from the Assembly explained that the incident was an oversight and was occasioned due to the requirements for disbursement of the fund for the project.
On behalf of the Church, the Rev. Seth Klu Sowah accepted the apology and expressed appreciation towards the initiative pledging to offer any support needed for the project to become successful.
Madam Kyei was thankful for the Church for the warm reception and promise to work towards strengthening the relationship between the church as a key stakeholder and the Assembly in the years ahead.
SOURCE: ISD – LaNMMA