“We acknowledge the current global economic crisis, which has affected the growth of the economy of our country. We also appreciate the effort that govern­ment has made so far to handle the impact of the crisis on Ghanaians.

“It is, however, true that, we as a country have not been able to manage our economy well. This has contributed to the current economic woes in which we find ourselves,” the conference said.

This was contained in a commu­nique issued on Friday November 17, at the end of its annual plenary assembly held at Sunyani.

According to the communique signed by the president of the conference and Bishop of Sunyani, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi “the current economic hardships are becoming unbearable for Ghanaians. We call on government to take urgent steps to stabilise the economy to bring relief to the many Ghanaians who have to bear with the current difficulties.”

The bishops want govern­ment to use the right approach in implementing policies, reduce its size, minimise waste, promote the common good, review and remove all of the abuses related to benefits in Article 71 of the Constitution of Ghana and called on Ghanaians to commit themselves to issues of national concern in the spirit of co-responsibility.

It observed as worrying attempts by a section of the political class to introduce and inflame religious passion in political discourse and activities of the country.

“Ghana as a nation is a secular state recognising the right of all persons to practice any religion and to freely form or belong to any political party of their choice, irrespective of their religious affiliation.

“We however, urge all Ghanaians to respect this prescription of our Constitution and avoid any attempt to engage in a ‘politics of religion’ and in this light, we advise all Ghanaians to put Ghana first in their political campaigns so as to preserve the peace and unity of our motherland.”

On the environment, the con­ference said it was still disturbed by the worsening destruction, pollution of water bodies, and increased reports of babies born with deformities and kidney dis­eases resulting from ingesting and inhaling heavy metals in galamsey areas.

“We are also concerned about the introduction of the Envi­ronmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022, LI 2462, which seemingly allow mining, even in globally significant biodiversity areas.

“We urge the government to take a critical look at this LI 2462, and as a matter of urgency, either amend or repeal it, in order to fore­stall the alarming trend of ecologi­cal destruction in the country.”

It commended Parliament for the work done so far on the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Gha­naian Family Values Bill which has gone through first and second readings and now awaiting consid­eration and third reading.

“We wish to thank Parliament for the work done so far on the bill, particularly the commitment of the Speaker, Alban S.K. Bagbin to ensure the successful passing of the bill.

“We urge that they expedite ac­tion on the passage, and we call on the President to assent to the bill as soon as it is passed by Parliament.”

The conference expressed its commiserations with victims of the Akosombo and Kpong Hydro Dam spillages, commend the government, religious bodies, and various organisations for reaching out to the affected and urged the VRA to learn lessons from the experience, for better management of the spillage in the future.

 BY ANITA YIRENKYI & JULIUS YAO PETETSI