Describing the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy as a bold and pro-poor policy, Rev. Campbell said “as people involved in providing support to several needy children to get education, we are well placed to assess the impact of such a transformative policy on most families in Ghana, and also offer some comment.”

He, therefore, implored the President not to be distracted or disillusioned by his critics saying “please, do not be disillusioned by your critics and the implementation difficulties you will encounter. Sir, you are on the right path and do have our full support.”

Rev. Father Campbell said this when he, accompanied by members of the church council, paid a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo at the Flagstaff House.

Commendable initiatives
Rev. Father Campbel also lauded the president’s decision and action on illegal mining, popularly referred to as galamsey.

He added that though it was a very difficult decision to take, the president had managed to implement it, describing the move as worthy of commendation.

“Please see it to the very end, which includes restoring degraded environment, including the water bodies and the vegetation, and facilitating the young ones involved to get skills training and sustainable employment. Importantly, make sure that Ghana never experiences this menace again by enforcing rules and regulations without fear or favour,” he added.

Rev. Father Campbell also congratulated the President on programmes such as Planting for Food and Jobs, and the 1-District-1-Factory initiative, adding that “we are very interested in these programmes because of their employment generation potential, especially for our youth”.

The Parish Priest urged the President not to relent in his resolve to eliminate indiscipline, especially bribery and corruption from Ghanaian culture.

“We urge you not to look at persons, positions, relations and status in enforcing rules and regulations. This is the only way that the habit of discipline will be built. Additionally, Sir, as you punish wrong doing, try to reward right or honest behaviour, especially in public office. This, we believe, is a sure path to bringing about change.

It was the position of Rev. Campbell that the change that Ghana needed was about each and every Ghanaian behaving differently, starting with those in leadership.

Greater collaboration needed between state and the church
President Akufo-Addo in his remarks said the initiatives being undertaken by the church and which were mentioned by Rev Fr. Campbell were part of the work that the church had been doing in Ghana over the centuries.

He, therefore, stressed the need for an effective collaboration between the church and the state.

In that regard, the President called for a meeting between the church and state actors so that the necessary support that the state had to provide for the church to succeed in its drive were clearly identified.

“The manner in which we can help must be concrete and that is why it is important that we engage further because the initiatives that you are embarking on would ultimately be in the interest of the Ghanaian people,” he added.

The President said the Planting for Food and Jobs was the start of a systematic line of programmes to arrest the declining fortune of the country in the agriculture sector.

The ultimate, aim, the President said, was to ensure that the large sums of money used in importing food items was halted as well as ensuring that there was creation of jobs for the youth.