The minister in charge of Penniel Methodist Church in the New Aplaku Circuit, Rev. Hedwig Naa Tolloo Quist, has urged women to pray for peaceful and violent-free elections as the country goes to the polls on December 7, 2024.

She said women often suffered the most during electioneering violence, hence the need for them to pray for peaceful and violent-free elections.

“Women are essential contributors to the economy. They play a significant role in the labour force and contribute to the growth and development of businesses. Thus, a peaceful nation is of great concern to every woman,” she said.

Breakfast meeting

Rev. Quist advised at a breakfast meeting organised by the Accra Diocese Women’s Fellowship of the Methodist Church Ghana.

A section of the Accra Diocese Women’s Fellowship members listening to Rev. Hedwig Naa Tolloo Quist

The breakfast meeting, which was organised on the theme: “Growing into Christian maturity”, formed part of activities marking the 90th anniversary celebration of the fellowship in Accra.

Rev. Quist pointed out that women played an integral role in society and as women of faith, they must not shy away from confronting societal and political issues with prayer.

Quoting various aspects of scripture, she said women had been at the heart of influencing nations through prayer, from biblical history, adding that Esther, Joana and Deborah influenced their generation.

“Ezekiel 22:30 indicates that God is looking for people to intercede for nations and women, being the backbone of nations, must take this mandate seriously,” she noted.

Furthermore, she said, the founder of Methodism in the world, John Wesley, emphasised social holiness, and as Christian women, their holiness must affect the nation and its citizens.

She said women must shape the very foundations of society and forge stability and social transformation as they play the crucial role of nurturing.

Rev. Quist also urged the women to pray for the church as it goes for a conference in August this year to elect a new Presiding Bishop and Administrative Bishop.

The Diocesan Secretary of the Women’s Fellowship, Jemima Opoku Boadu, said through the talks delivered by various speakers on the theme, they had learnt that old habits such as fighting, anger and backbiting did not help women as Christians to grow in the Lord, hence the need to put a stop to such negative tendencies.