The Vice President of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA) and Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese in the Eastern Region, Most Reverend Joseph Kwaku Afrifah-Agyekum, has identified moral decadence as the root cause of many of Ghana’s current challenges.
The Bishop’s admonishment comes amidst the backdrop of two pressing issues, the destructive practice of galamsey and the controversial topic of LGBTQ rights in the country.
Most Reverend Joseph Kwaku Afrifah-Agyekum addressed the pervasive moral decay in Ghana, linking it directly to the country’s woes. He hammered the issues at the 23rd Graduation and 34th Matriculation ceremony of the Catholic University of Ghana at fiapre near Sunyani in the Bono region.
The Bishop also Chairman of the Governing Council of the Catholic University (CUG), expressed deep concern over the detrimental effects of immoral behavior, particularly citing the destructive impact of galamsey, or illegal mining, on the environment and communities as well highlighting the contentious issue of LGBTQ rights, describing it as a societal menace that goes against traditional moral values.
“What used to be an abomination is now being disseminated by the rich and the powerful including even states, we live in the world where we’re being told that lesbianism and LGBTQ+ are okay, where pornography is becoming the norm” he said.
He urged Ghanaians especially university graduates to refrain from condoning practices that are contrary to the country’s cultural norms and religious beliefs.
“Don’t kindly become victims of these vices.”
In his address the Vice Chancellor the CUG, Sir Professor Daniels Obeng-Ofori, congratulated the graduants for scaling over their studies. He stressed that countless challenges lie ahead that may push a thread to their dreams.
He therefore asked them to use the sound and holistic knowledge acquired at the university to come out of their comfort zones to be proactive and participatory in all activities that are meant for the good of the country.
Furthermore, he cautioned them not to engage in social vices and immoral LBTQI+ practices that may shutter their dreams.
Teaching and none teaching staff as well as graduants who excelled in their studies were honoured with lavish awards.
A total of 1,236 graduants comprising both graduates and post graduate students who successfully completed their studies at the stipulated time and were awarded their degrees.
Belinda Bawa was adjudged the Best Graduating Female Student and also the overall Best Graduating Student, she was awarded and showed with gifts donated by Stanbic Bank and the Vice Chancellor of the university.
In her acknowledgment she said there is no journey without a storm and urged her colleagues to apply determination and hard work to realize their ambitions.
“Let us bring to light the dreams our forbearers had, we have the opportunity to shine brightly the light of CUG, Let us cultivate the true sense of shame and disgrace in the discharge of our duties in the industry out there, my dear friends this is only the begining.” She emphasized.
Undergrads 837. Postgraduates 399
A total of 1,745 Matriculants comprising 837 Undergraduates and 399 Postgraduates who were admitted into the Catholic University this year took the matriculation oath which enjoins them to be of good standing during their stay in the university.
By: Claude Kumi Abisa, Fiapre-Bono Region
