The newly consecrated Coadjutor Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Sunyani, the Very Reverend Martin Apraku Amankwah, has called for a renewed commitment to Christian values to address greed, selfishness and political divisions that are hindering national development. He said these negative tendencies were contributing to environmental destruction, the excessive accumulation of wealth and material possessions, and divisions among individuals, families and communities.
Rev. Amankwah made the remarks following his consecration and episcopal ordination as Coadjutor Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Sunyani last Sunday. He was elected to the position at a Special Synod held on April 11, 2026, with his election subsequently endorsed by the bishops of the Church.
The bishop-elect stressed the need for the Church to place greater emphasis on Jesus Christ and his sacrifice in its preaching of the gospel, saying this could help Ghanaians overcome their differences and unite towards achieving a common national goal. “At the cross, greed and the thought that I am better than someone else because we belong to different political parties can get lost,” he said.
Rev. Amankwah said his study and reflection on the Word of God had led him to conclude that greed and selfishness were at the root of many societal problems. He expressed confidence that a stronger commitment to the teachings of Christ could foster unity, promote environmental conservation and encourage peaceful coexistence.
He maintained that political affiliations and ideological differences should not prevent citizens from collaborating to protect the environment and improve the welfare of their communities. The Coadjutor Bishop also underscored the importance of instilling sound moral values in children from an early age, noting that Christian education could play a significant role in shaping responsible citizens.
He recounted developing a strong interest in school worship during the early years of his ordained ministry, regularly participating in worship sessions for pupils from kindergarten through junior high school. Rev. Amankwah expressed optimism that the Church would deepen its engagement with schools to nurture young people who value human life, uphold strong moral principles and demonstrate responsibility towards the environment.
“When these are inculcated into them at that age, we believe they will be more nationalistic and they will really be instruments for the progress of this nation,” he said. He added that he hoped to collaborate with other church leaders to establish the necessary systems and structures to advance the agenda. For his part, the Diocesan Bishop of Sunyani, the Right Reverend Dr Festus Yeboah Asuamah, called on the incoming bishop and the Church to intensify advocacy against illegal mining and environmental degradation.
He stressed that mining activities must comply with the law and be accompanied by measures to restore degraded forest areas and safeguard water bodies. “We need to protect our water bodies and our forests. And also, if we are to do mining, it should be legitimate,” he said. Rt. Rev. Dr Asuamah also appealed to the government to create a favourable environment for businesses to grow and generate employment, particularly for young people.
He noted that graduates from nursing, teacher training and vocational institutions needed adequate employment opportunities, while a reliable electricity supply and a supportive business climate would encourage private investors to expand their economic activities. The diocesan bishop further expressed concern over road traffic accidents, urging motorists to avoid excessive speeding and ensure their vehicles were properly maintained. He observed that many crashes could be prevented if drivers exercised greater caution and responsibility.
Addressing other social concerns, he called on parents, teachers, churches and community leaders to work together to discourage drug abuse, armed robbery and other forms of indiscipline. He also urged churches to support the rehabilitation of individuals seeking to overcome alcoholism, drug abuse and other destructive behaviours, stressing the importance of collective efforts in addressing these challenges.
