Participants at the 4th African Biblical Leadership Initiative (ABLI) Forum have called on the church to play a significant role in economic development and rural empowerment.

The three-day forum attended by over 250 participants was among other things to empower African leaders by discussing the emphasis on integrity compassion and justice.

Themed:"The Missing Factor in Leadership", the forum was attended by members of Ghana's Executive, Legislature and Judiciary as well as leaders of 18 African countries, UK, USA and India.

The Forum was organised by the Bible Society of Ghana.

The participants issued a communique after the three day deliberation.

The following is the full communique.

COMMUNIQUÉISSUED BY PARTICIPANTS AT THE 4TH ABLI FORUM HELD IN ACCRA, GHANA

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The Bible Society of Ghana in partnership with church leaders hosted the 4th African Biblical Leadership Initiative (ABLI) Forum Ghana at the Accra International Conference Centre from May 22 - 24, 2014 on the theme "the Missing Factor in Leadership".

 

The forum sought to achieve the following objectives:

 

• Increase the credibility and profile of the Bible in all aspects of the African society;  and
• Empower African leaders by discussing the Bible’s emphasis on integrity, compassion and justice in leadership with the belief that this will lead to positively transformed nations.

 

The over 250 participants who attended the 3-day Forum were leaders from 18 African countries including Ghana as well as from the UK, USA and India. Members of the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, as well as captains of industry, the church/para-church, professionals, activists, academia, politicians, traditional authorities and youth groups.

 

We, the participants of the forum re-affirm the ABLI vision which emphasizes the Biblical values of integrity, compassion and justice in leadership towards a positive transformation of our societies. In this regard:

1. The Church itself should be a medium for social and economic development and embrace practical partnerships to empower rural and urban communities.

2. Essential to good governance is leadership that draws its source from God and is transparent, accountable and built on integrity.

3. Given the high levels of corruption and its devastating impact on African economies all arms of government should deal drastically with all cases of corruption to ensure that it is either totally eliminated or reduced to a minimum.

4. African leaders must employ / adapt a spirit of servant leadership.

5. The principles of leadership advocated here should be sought to our youth in schools and churches.

6. Efforts must be made by our leaders to bridge the generational gap in leadership through the introduction of measures (use of digital technology) that will enable young people to participate actively in decision making.

7. Leadership in the Church must demonstrate Christ-like virtues and make Biblical principles relevant to contemporary issues of life.

8. Bible Societies of Africa must facilitate the adoption of an ecumenical approach by Church leaders in confronting issues of national interest and be pro-active in seeking solutions to challenges.

9. Our Governments should ensure that our young people are equipped with the relevant skills-set for the job market.

10. African Leaders should establish sub-regional and continental support systems and mechanisms to address issues of leadership, conflict management and justice.

11. The media plays a critical watchman role and in national development. It encourages the media to be truthful and honest in playing those roles.

12. Women have played indispensable roles since Biblical times and the Forum urges the church to create opportunities for enhancing the education of women through training in skills acquisition, and encourage them to participate in the decision-making processes in the church and in society.

13. The church should ensure that leadership training includes trauma management to help deal effectively with the healing of the traumatized.

14. The Post 2015 Millennium Development Goals Agenda should recognize the impact of the growing global and domestic inequalities and purpose positive measurable actions to reduce these.

In the spirit of Pan-Africanism a statement of prayer and solidarity with our sister country, Nigeria, was issued for the abducted girls and the current crisis with Boko Haram.