Serve with humility and integrity – Rev Akua Ofori-Boateng urges MPs

The Reverend Akua Ofori-Boateng, Director of Programmes, Anglican Diocese of Accra, has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to walk in humility, recognising that it is a privilege to be elected by the people to serve them.

They should also demonstrate integrity, be truthful, selfless and protect the public purse.

“As God has called you to the ministry of serving as Members of Parliament, to oversee the making of our nation, as individuals, each of us in whatever, capacities we walk in humility with the Lord, recognising that it is a privilege to serve,” Rev Akua Ofori-Boateng stated in her homily at the 2022 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.

The service was under the patronage of Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.

The event, which was graced by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, was held to mark the celebration of the birthday of Jesus Christ and to thank God for his goodness and mercies towards the Parliament of Ghana and the nation.

She said many Ghanaians were only looking to please themselves, consequently, the moment any of them entered into public service, they no longer lived for themselves.

“We must take up the cross of doing what is right, not only when it is convenient and doesn’t offend others but all the time. In fact, he calls us to do right, even if it upsets our friends, our families, our political parties,” she said.

“In other words, if as part of our works, we refuse to carry the cross of integrity, turn down bribes, we are not worthy of God.”

She said if the MPs, who occupied highly esteemed offices refused to take up the cross of truthfulness, the responsible and proper utilisation of the power of the public purse, then they were not worthy of God.

“This Christmas, as we welcome the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, may we meet him with our gift of doing what is right, of being merciful and of walking humbly with the Lord.”

On the significance of the three gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense presented by the maji (the three wise men) to the baby Jesus, Rev Akua Ofori-Boateng said the gold acknowledged the kingship of Jesus Christ.

Frankincense, burnt as an offering by priests, was to recognise Jesus’ priesthood and myrrh, which was used to embalm (dead) bodies, was given to him to signify his purpose, that he came to die in order save mankind, she explained.

Quoting from Micah 6:6-8, Rev Akua Ofori-Boateng said God required of his people to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their him.

“The Lord has made it clear that he is not impressed with our material gifts, rather he is moved when we do what is right, when we love mercy and when we walk humbly,” the Reverend Minister said.

She noted that these three gifts, which God was really asking for, cost absolutely nothing.

Other high-profile dignitaries at the event included Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Andrew Amoako Asiamah, the Second Deputy Speaker, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister of Finance; MPs, Superior Court Judges, Members of the Diplomatic Community, and leaders of faith-based organisations.

In attendance also was Mrs Alice Adjua Yornas Bagbin, the wife of the Speaker.

The Vice President read the Ninth Lesson of Carols from the John 1:1-14, while the Eighth Lesson, which was taken from Matthew 2:1-12 was read by Speaker Bagbin.

Mr Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, a Justice of the Supreme Court, took the Seventh Carol Lesson from Luke 2:8-20.

Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Majority Leader of Parliament and New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Efutu, read the Seven Lesson from Luke 2:1-7, whereas Dr James Klutse Avedzi, the Deputy Minority Leader and National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Ketu North read the Sixth Lesson from Luke 1:26-38.

Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Dean, School of Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana and Quiz Mistress of the National Science and Mathematics Quiz, read the Fourth Carols Lesson from Isaiah 11:1-4, 6-9.

Dr Koryoe Anim-Wright, Registrar, University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), read the Third Carols Lesson from 9:2, 6-7.

Prof Amin Alhassan, the Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and Mr Cyril Kwabena Oteng Nsiah, the Clerk of Parliament took the Second and First Carols lessons from Genesis 22:15-18 and Genesis 3:6-14, respectively.

The Bible readings were interspersed with hymns and gospel music from the Parliamentary Service Choir (The Voices of Democracy), the Tema Youth Choir, and the Grace Chorale International.

Source: gna