The Church and the State are partners in development because of the long standing mutual relationship the two have built over the years, Mr Eric Opoku, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister said on Saturday. He said the role of the State and the church complemented each other, adding that the State provided for the material interest of the people while the Church catered for the spiritual well-being of the citizenry. Mr Opoku was addressing the leadership and members of the Seventh - day Adventist (SDA) Church in the Sunyani Municipality as part of the National Week of fasting, prayer and thanksgiving service in connection with the Ghana’s 54th Independence Anniversary Celebration. The Deputy Regional Minister said the achievement as well as fulfilment of the hopes and aspirations of the people could not be realised without the unflinching support of the Church to government’s efforts. He lauded the church for its proactive role in the provision of infrastructure such as education and health facilities in the country. Mr Opoku also commended the SDA church for its contributions towards national development. He said the role of the church had become indispensable in national development and therefore urged the missions to sustain the effective collaboration. The Deputy Regional Minister expressed concern about the indiscipline which had crept into every facet of national life, stressing that it had become a social canker that had eaten into every fabric of the society, even Church. He therefore implored the church to step up its efforts in inculcating into the youth moral lessons to halt the menace. Pastor Daniel Oduro-Sarpong, President, Mid-West Ghana Conference of the Church in a sermon said the SDA mission would continue to support the State by committing resources for the realisation of government’s vision for the people. Pastor Oduro-Sarpong urged the government and the leadership of the nation to depend on God for guidance and direction in the governance of the country. Source: GNA