Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has called for effective collaboration between the government, faith-based organisations and local communities in addressing emerging societal challenges in building a better society for all.

He said that partnerships were essential to promote community development, human dignity, and moral uprightness.

Mr Ibrahim made the call when speaking at the installation of the President and induction ceremony of the newly elected executives of the Mothers’ Union of the Sunyani Anglican Diocese held at the St Anselm’s Cathedral in Sunyani.

He noted that the government alone could not shoulder the responsibility of tackling national development challenges, hence the need for that partnership in “building a society that promoted dignity, opportunity and moral responsibility”.

On the theme: “Chosen, appointed to bear fruit” the event inducted seven-member executives of the union to lead the diocesan union.

Mr. Ibrahim said leadership produced tangible societal benefits, urging that “It reminds us that leadership must ultimately produce results that benefit others, because when leadership bears fruit, communities flourish”.

He expressed concern about what he described as “a gradual erosion of communal values that historically strengthened the typical Ghanaian society”.

Mr Ibrahim noted that: “The spirit of nationalism is what gave us independence. However, today we are losing some of those values and are moving from it to individualism and from patriotism to selfishness”.

“These are traits we must collectively fight against”, he added, and urged union executives to serve as role models in their respective communities by promoting integrity, compassion and unity.

He said mothers played an integral role in shaping society, and advised them to lead exemplary lives, guided by wisdom, honesty, love, and a shared sense of purpose.

Mr. Ibrahim commended the union in general for sustaining its activities through prayer, service and financial contributions, saying that faith-based organisations played an important role in complementing national development efforts.

He said that: “Organisations like the Mothers’ Union supported government initiatives of social protection, gender empowerment, education and community development.

He said activities and programmes like girl-child education campaigns, health awareness initiatives, support for the vulnerability in society, and advocacy for child protection contributed to accelerated national development.

Mr Ibrahim said women empowerment, health education programmes and expanding outreaches through new church branches aligned with the government’s broader objective of inclusive growth and social development.

The Right Reverend Dr Festus Yeboah Asuamah, the Anglican Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese, urged the executives to work hard to achieve the broader vision of the Mothers’ Union.

Mother Belinda Serwaa Addo, the newly elected President of the Union, expressed appreciation to the diocese, pledging to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them for the holistic growth and development of the diocese.