The Deputy Upper West Regional Minister Mr. Caesar Kale, has expressed concern about the trend of partisan politics that was creeping into churches lately. He said the church is one of the vehicles that should be used for re-engineering and re-emphasising societal values such as patriotism and not perpetuating the current spate of devastating polarization of almost everything in the country. Mr. Kale raised the concern at the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Tumu Catholic Parish on Friday, which was on the theme: “50 years of evangelism in the Sissala land; achievements, challenges and the way forward”. He said: “If the society including the church says hard work, respect and discipline are worthy virtues and requires emulation, then we should acknowledge and reward the pursuit of those virtues and deeds and not consider worldly possessions above them”. “The youth are smart, they observe and if society recognises the wealthy, why should they not do anything and everything to be recognised, and who will suffer the consequences – ourselves, our children and generations unborn”, Mr. Kale pointed out. The Deputy Minister pleaded with the Catholic Church to continue to be amendable of the use of traditional dances and instruments during worship as it was one of the surest ways of perpetuating Ghana’s culture, considering the rate at which some cultural practices were fast being corrupted and deserting the people. He commended the Catholic Church for providing potable water, basic schools and training institutions as well as introducing animal traction to the Sissala people. The government recognised the role Churches play in the transformation of the people hence the institutionalization of an “Annual Prayer and Thanksgiving Day” in the country, he noted. Mr. Kale gave the assurance that government would continue to partner the church to improve the available infrastructure to open up doors for more evangelism and for other socio-economic activities in the Sissala area. Catholics from other regions and neighbouring Burkina Faso attended the forum. Source: GNA