Accra, 14 Dec, GNA – Mr. Ebenezer Kojo Kum, the Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister, says the Ministry is working on the promotion of local Christian pilgrimage to connect Christians in Ghana to a worldwide community of Christians from different denominations.

He said the Ministry had started mapping out some sites and counting on the support and lessons from Israel, which had done that over the years.

Mr. Kum said this when Madam Shlomit Sufa, the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, paid a courtesy call on him to deepen bilateral relations between the two countries.

The meeting was also to discuss ways in fostering a healthy relationship between religious groups in Ghana and Israel.

During the interaction, the Minister expressed worry at how the Ministry had not been able to participate in religious activities for two years due to the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19).

“As a Ministry, we hope and pray a solution will be found to this covid variant as quickly as possible. So that, that kind of relationship in the area of salvation will further strengthen.

“It is a collective effort on the part of both countries so as long as this relationship exists and the mutual understanding we have, I am sure when the pandemic subsides it will be possible for us to resume this religious activity,” he said.

Madam Sufa, said Israel was very much aware of the importance Ghanian Christian pilgrims attached to coming to Israel and said, “We cherish this kind of tourism pilgrimage coming to Israel.

“We want to support it as much as we can, giving it the appropriate screening and coordination within my government, and I strongly believe that we will be able to meet again to discuss this preeminent issue of Ghana on a much more practical level.”

The Israeli Ambassador presented a book, titled, “Thou Shalt Innovate” by Avi Jorisch, to the Minister.

Christians believe that Jesus visited Jerusalem at Passover time and spent the week leading up to his death there.

Therefore, Christian pilgrims visit Jerusalem to remember key events in Jesus’ final week, known as Holy Week.

On 27 August 2021, Madam Shlomit Sufa, was appointed as the Ambassador Designate of the State of Israel to Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Israel has a long-term diplomatic and bilateral partnership with Ghana. Ghana is the first African country to establish diplomatic relations with the State of Israel, the second state in Africa to have an Israeli embassy and the first African State to have a state visit by Israel’s former Foreign Minister, Golda Meir, in 1958.

In 2011, the State of Israel reopened its Embassy in Accra, which has since strengthened the relations between Ghana and Israel.

Source: Ghana News Agency