Church seeks land to re-establish ‘kayayoos’

The Grace Baptist Church in Kumasi has reiterated its commitment to provide a descent livelihood for young migrants from the northern parts of Ghana.

The migrants, mostly girls drift en-mass down-south and adopt diverse survival strategies which expose them to both physical and reproductive health risks.

The local church initiated an outreach program last year, with the aim to meet the socio-economic needs of the migrants, who leave their homes to serve as porters in the urban centre.

However, challenges in land acquisition have stalled the establishment of a service centre to orientate and integrate the "kayayoos" into the community or assist them return home.

Newly-inducted Head Pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Rev. Robert Asante, says the project will not be abandoned. “Since I came in as a bi-vocational minister, I've been handling the physical aspect of the holistic ministry, which is both the physical and spiritual aspects of ministry. So it's not going to be business as usual but we're going to deepen it”, he told Luv Fm at a special send off service for Rev. Dr. Kojo Osei-Wusuh, who is retiring after 25 years in ministry.

The outgoing Senior Pastor and immediate past President of the Ghana Baptist Convention, entreated leadership of churches in Ghana to develop a holistic approach to ministry in order to consolidate their influence in the community.

Reverend Osei-Wusuh says religious leaders must understand their role as partners in fighting socio-economic vices. He believes “the desire for attitude change towards the environment, indiscipline, corruption and other anti-social acts will become reality if church leaders open up their ministry to ordinary people.”

The Grace Baptist Church recorded remarkable community development projects under the leadership of Rev. Osei-Wusuh. He is currently taking up the role of President of the Ghana Baptist University College.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh