President John Dramani Mahama has praised the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) and the wider Christian community for their longstanding role in national development, describing the Church as “one of the country’s most reliable partners” in driving social transformation and moral renewal.

The President delivered the message through his Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, at the 2025 Ecumenical Convention of the Council in Accra on Sunday, November 16. He expressed deep gratitude for the Christian community’s sustained prayers and unwavering support over the years.

Speaking to the convention’s theme, “Uniting the Body of Christ for Greater Impact” (Ephesians 4:3–13), President Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening collaboration with faith-based institutions as a central pillar of his National Reset Agenda.

He stressed that unity is both a divine mandate and a critical foundation for national cohesion.
“In a world increasingly marked by division and discord, the unified voice of the Christian community is more vital than ever. A fragmented or politicised Church cannot deliver the collective impact that Ghana urgently needs,” he stated.

The President also acknowledged the immense contributions of member churches to education, healthcare, youth development, peacebuilding, and social welfare, adding that many communities nationwide continue to depend on church-established schools, hospitals, and humanitarian programmes.

“These investments have served as a stabilising force in our national life for over a century,” Mr Afriyie-Ankrah conveyed. “The government fully recognises that these efforts are not merely charitable acts but a genuine partnership with the State in serving the people of Ghana.”

As Presidential Envoy, he assured the gathering that the government, under the leadership of President Mahama and with the support of Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, remains committed to working closely with the Christian Council and all faith-based organisations.

He urged denominations to rise above institutional rivalries and doctrinal differences, emphasising collaboration, mutual respect, and a shared mission of national transformation.

Mr. Afriyie-Ankrah reiterated President Mahama’s vision to “reset and rebuild a united, prosperous, and peaceful Ghana,” highlighting priority areas such as education, healthcare, inclusive growth, accountability, and national unity. He noted that the Church has an indispensable role in advancing these goals through moral guidance, civic education, and community leadership.

However, he expressed concern about recent issues within some ministries, including financial indiscipline, doctrinal confusion, exploitative practices, and unregulated spiritual activities. He cautioned that such trends threaten the integrity of the Christian witness.

“We respectfully urge the Christian Council and all denominational leaders to strengthen internal accountability mechanisms in order to safeguard the sanctity of the pulpit and ensure ethical leadership,” he said. Addressing misconduct decisively, he added, would protect the Church’s moral authority and sustain public trust.

Mr Afriyie-Ankrah also called on the Christian community to intensify prayers for the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, and all state institutions, stressing that Ghana needs divine wisdom, courage, and humility on its journey toward lasting peace and development.

Quoting 1 Timothy 2:1-2, he reminded the congregation of the importance of interceding for national leaders.