Compose songs to fight immorality Bishop

Wamfie (B/A) Aug. 31, GNA - The Right Reverend Kwame Omane-Achemfour, Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese of the Methodist Church has urged singing bands to compose songs to help fight immorality in the country.

He noted that the increasing cases of HIV/AIDS, child delinquency, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, indiscipline and other problems could be minimized through songs.

Rev. Omane-Achemfour was preaching at the opening of the 12th Biennial Delegates Conference of the Diocese's Singing Bands Union at Wamfie in the Dormaa District of Brong Ahafo.

The three-day conference, attended by 900 delegates, is under the theme: "Empowering the singing band for effective choral evangelism". He emphasized the importance of songs in the church and asked the various singing band groups within the church to use songs to win more souls for Christ.

Rev. Omane-Achemfour noted that lack of funds, music masters and other logistic problems had affected the performance of singing band groups.

He, therefore, appealed to the Rev. Ministers to assist and encourage the singing bands to help promote evangelism.

Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, in a speech read for him urged churches to consider creating a functional balance "of our faith by directing some of our songs to addressing some of the evils in the society".

He advised churches to use music to preach against armed robbery, bribery and corruption, drug abuse, alcoholism, sexual promiscuity and HIV/AIDS "that have brought untold hardships to families and communities".

The Regional Minister said composition of religious songs with emphasis on the effects and consequences of evil waywardness would be a very good complement from churches.

Nana Seinti urged churches "to also use religious songs to heal differences in the society, particularly among religious groups, ethnic factions and even on the political landscape so that we can ensure peace and unity as one nation".

Mr. George Yeboah Asuamah, Diocesan President of the singing bands union announced that the union has planned to organize periodic training workshops for music masters to help improve the quality of singing. He appealed to the singing groups of the church to form junior singing bands to help strengthen the senior singing bands.

Nana Sarfo Gyan, chairman of the Diocesan Lay Movement of the Church presided.