Amasaman: Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, President of the National House of Chiefs, has called on faith-based organisations (FBOs) to stop converting factories into places of worship and instead establish businesses to help address rising unemployment in the country.
According to Ghana News Agency, speaking at the 30th anniversary launch of Village of Hope, at Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region, the President of the National House of Chiefs stressed that job creation should be a priority for religious institutions, given the growing economic challenges facing Ghana. He urged, 'Instead of buying factories and changing them into worshipping places, we should rather establish business places for people to get jobs to do.'
Ogyeahoho Gyebi II warned that unemployment has become a major national concern and urged churches and other faith-based groups to leverage their influence and resources to create sustainable employment opportunities. While acknowledging the significant contributions of Christian organisations to education and healthcare, he noted that more could be done in the area of economic empowerment.
He commended Village of Hope for its practical approach to development, particularly its investment in vocational training of abandoned and street children. Ogyeahoho Gyebi II, who is also the Anwiasohene of Sefwi Anwiaso in the Western North Region, highlighted the importance of equipping young people with skills and tools to earn a living, describing such initiatives as essential in tackling poverty and reducing social vulnerabilities.
He also raised concerns about the conduct of some religious leaders, criticising the rise of 'charlatans' and the commercialisation of religion. He cautioned against false teachings, exploitation of congregants, and ostentatious lifestyles among some church leaders, urging a return to humility and genuine service.
Additionally, the National House of Chiefs president called for a balance between religious practices and Ghanaian cultural values, warning that aspects of Western influence had weakened traditional systems such as extended family support structures. He encouraged a revival of cultural practices that promote social cohesion and environmental preservation.
Mr. Fred Asare, Group Managing Director, Village of Hope, made a strong appeal for increased public and private support to sustain and expand its services for vulnerable children across Ghana. Currently, the orphanage cares for about 250 children with more than 50 of them in the university and over 40 in senior high school. Mr. Asare said the situation had put the orphanage in a tight financial corner, urging more support to meet the needs of the growing population.
Founded in 1996 by three ministers of the Church of Christ; Jerry Reynolds, Emmanuel Alfred Asante, and Christian Nsua, the Village of Hope was established to support orphaned, destitute, and needy children. From its beginnings as a single home caring for eight children, the organisation has evolved into a comprehensive social intervention hub.
Mr. Asare highlighted the organisation's three-decade impact, noting that over the past 30 years, thousands of orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children had been raised into independent adults, with hundreds of them progressing through tertiary education. He underscored the need to address streetism by providing training and opportunities for vulnerable youth, stating, 'We have to give them an alternative. so that they don't remain on the streets.'