Kumasi Methodist diocese to raise 20 billion-cedi development fund

Kumasi, March 11, GNA - The Methodist Diocese of Kumasi has set up a 20 billion-cedi development fund annually effective this year to support its on-going development projects. Each member of the church is contributing not less than 20,000 cedis a month towards the fund.

The Right Reverend Nuh Ben Abubekr, the Bishop of the diocese, announced this at the sod-cutting ceremony of a 15 billion-cedi hostel being constructed by the diocese at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi on Friday.

The hostel, which is to house 600 students, is the church's efforts at solving accommodation problems facing the university. Bishop Abubekr commended the authorities of the university for providing a 4.5 acre-land to the church for the project. He said education is one of the top priority needs of the Methodist Church and hoped that the completion of the hostel would enhance teaching and learning of the university students. Bishop Abubekr disclosed that the church has planned to undertake a number of projects on its land at the Suame Roundabout in Kumasi and mentioned the projects as construction of a conference centre, hotel and shopping centre.

Most Rev Dr Robert Aboagye-Mensah, Presiding Bishop of the Church, who officially performed the ceremony, said the Methodist Church is committed to the development of the youth in the church. He said the completion of the project would therefore cater for students of the church as well as others who would be admitted at the university.

Most Rev. Aboagye-Mensah praised the Kumasi diocese of the church for its initiative and foresight for embarking on the project. He stressed the need for members to pay their tithes and other contributions to ensure the growth of the church.

Mr. F.L. Adonteng, Chief Architect of KNUST, said drawings and site plans for the project had already been completed and that the project would soon be awarded on contract to be completed within 12 months.